Sprinter Akani Simbine and middle-distance runner Tshepo Tshite delivered good performances for the SA team on Saturday, progressing to the second round of their events on Day 1 of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Simbine won his 100m heat in 9.97 seconds, clocking the third fastest time in the opening round and booking his place in the semifinals to be held on Sunday.

"I'm really happy to get that first run out the way, and to get a win," Simbine said.

"I'm just trusting my running pattern, and how I race, and the shape that I'm in, and it's paying off. I feel good for tomorrow, for the semifinals and the final."

Fellow sprinters Benjamin Richardson (10.17) and Shaun Maswanganyi (10.21) both finished fourth in their 100m heats, narrowly missing out on places in the penultimate round.

Tshite, meanwhile, took second spot in his 1 500m heat in 3:47.79 and he will turn out again in the semifinals on Sunday night.

"The race went well. It was tactical but the most important thing for me was to be in the top six (in order to reach the next round) regardless of the time. So I'm really happy," Tshite said.

His compatriot, Ryan Mphahlele, was 10th in his 1 500m heat in 3:39.16 and was eliminated ahead of the semifinals.

In other events on the opening day of competition, Carina Viljoen ended 12th in her 1 500m heat (4:11.02) and she was unable to progress beyond the first round.

Burger Lambrechts and Kyle Blignaut were knocked out in the qualifying round of the men's shot put. Lambrechts was 24th overall with a 19.52m throw and Blignaut settled for 34th position (18.82m).
Former World Championships finalist Victor Hogan was 27th overall in the qualifying round of the men's discus throw (61.80m) and he too missed out on the final.

Schedule of South African athletes, Day 2 Sunday, 20 Augus:

Morning session:

9.35am - 400m heats, women (Marli Viljoen, Miranda Coetzee, Zeney van der Walt)

10.25am - 400m heats, men (Wayde van Niekerk, Zakithi Nene, Lythe Pillay)

10.30am - discus throw qualification, women (Yolandi Stander)

1.05pm - 110m hurdles heats, men (Antonio Alkana)

Evening session:

4.35pm - 100m semifinals, men (Akani Simbine)

5.30pm - 1 500m semifinals, men (Tshepo Tshite)

6.25pm - 10 000m final, men (Adriaan Wildschutt)

7.10pm - 100m final, men (Akani Simbine)

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About Athletics South Africa:
Athletics South Africa (ASA) is the national governing body for the sport of athletics (including Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking) in South Africa, is a member of the World Athletics and the Confederation of African Athletics.  The association was formed in 1995 and is based in Johannesburg.

ENDS