Spectators were treated to a feast of athletics on Friday, with some phenomenal performances on the track and in the field on Day 2 of the ASA U16, U18, U20 and U23 Championships at Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane.

Competing in ideal conditions in the capital city, Naeem Jack produced perhaps the best result of the day in the colours of Western Province Athletics (WPA), storming to an impressive victory in a hard-fought battle against Matodz Ndou (AGN) in the U18 boys 110m hurdles final.

A former SA record holder in the event, Jack had lost his national mark to Ndou, who clocked 13.15 seconds at the Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) provincial championships earlier this month.

Before Ndou's record could even be ratified, however, Jack snatched it back, securing the gold medal on Friday in 13.10.
Despite getting off to a spectacular start in the final, Ndou settled for the silver medal in 13.28.

There was another tight battle for the national mark in the U16 boys discus throw final.
AZaun Marthinus of Boland Athletics (BOLA) landed the discus at 69.91m, earning the national title, and Joshua Gerber (AGN) launched a best attempt of 69.40m to take silver. Both athletes threw further than the previous SA best in their age group.

In the U16 girls 90m hurdles final, Megan Nieman won gold in 12.45, crossing the line just 0.01 outside the SA best she had set in the heats the day before.

Among the other highlights, Johannes Morepe (AGN) led a highly competitive U20 men's 1 500m final. Morepe led from the start, setting a fast pace and launching a ferocious kick on the final lap to win gold in 3:44.43.

He dragged three other athletes under 3:48.00, with Dumisani Motloung of Athletics Free State (AFS) taking second place in 3:45.39 and Leehanro Arendse (WPA) finishing third in 3:46.51. 

Showcasing the nation's depth in the junior age group, a total of 25 athletes achieved qualifying standards in their respective events for the World Athletics U20 Championships to be held in Lima, Peru in August. 

The ASA U16, U18, U20 and U23 Championships will conclude on Saturday with the third and final day of competition, which will be broadcast live on SuperSport channel 216.

* All ASA records are subject to standard ratification processes

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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 World Athletics  and the Confederation of African Athletics.  The association was formed in 1995 and is based in Johannesburg. 

ENDS