Versatile field events star Mine de Klerk led the way on Monday, as a handful of South African athletes cemented their places among the favourites of their events on the opening day of the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.

De Klerk, who won shot put gold and discus throw silver at last year's World U20 Championships in Nairobi, again displayed fine form in both disciplines.

She opened her campaign in Cali with a 16.11m heave in the qualifying round of the women's shot put, progressing automatically to the final, to be held on Tuesday.

Her compatriot, Zonica Lindeque, also booked her place in the medal battle with a 15.14m effort in the first round, qualifying in ninth position.

Returning to the infield later on Day 1, De Klerk landed the discus at 50.12m, completing the qualifying round in eighth position and progressing to Wednesday's final.

In the women's javelin qualifying round, Mckyla van der Westhuizen qualified automatically for the final, launching the third best throw (54.92m) of the opening round.

Van der Westhuizen will turn out again in the final on Tuesday.

On the track, Benjamin Richardson, the silver medallist in Nairobi last year, won his 100m heat in 10.33 seconds.

Countryman Mukhethwa Tshifura took second place in his first-round race in 10.36, with both athletes progressing to the semi-finals to be held on Day 2.

Denmar Jacobs also had no trouble in the 110m hurdles heats, winning his race in 13.74 to book his place in the penultimate round.

* The U20 World Championships are broadcast live daily on SuperSport.

Schedule of SA athletes, day two (SA times):

Tuesday:

4.35pm - 400m heats, women (Precious Molepo)

5.20pm - high jump qualifying, men (Brian Raats)

5.25pm - 400m heats, men (Lythe Pillay, Tjaart van der Walt)

6.25pm - 400m hurdles heats, women (Simone de Wet, Anje Nel)

7.30pm - 100m heats, women (Viwe Jingqi, Kayla la Grange)

10.16pm - Shot put final, women (Mine de Klerk, Zonica Lindeque)

10.18pm - 110m hurdles semi-finals, men (Denmar Jacobs)

10.40pm - 100m semi-finals, men (Benjamin Richardson, Mukhethwa Tshifura)

Wednesday:

12.20am - javelin throw final, women (Mckyla van der Westhuizen)

12.55am - 100m final, men.