Sub-youth athletes stole the show on Friday, as three national U16 records were shattered on the second day of the ASA U16, U18, U20 and U23 Track and Field Championships at Green Point Athletics Stadium in Cape Town.

In what was perhaps the performance of the day, Tiisetso Malungane (Athletics Gauteng North) dominated the U16 boys 1500m final, going out hard and securing a gun-to-tape victory in 3:53.01 to set a new national record in his age group.

He crossed the line more than 10 seconds clear of his nearest opponent.

"I ran 3:56 at the AGN Championships (in Tshwane earlier this month) so I knew I had to try for the SA record here at sea level. That was the plan," Malungane said after the race. "I was a bit tired after the heats, having travelled here by bus, but I felt better after running a couple of races."

Malungane was set to return to the track on Saturday for the 800m final after coasting through his first-round heat with a comfortable victory.

Earlier, in the U16 girls 5000m walk, Renate van der Merwe (Athletics Central North West) also set a new South African record in her age group. She completed the race in 24:46.74, finishing more than four minutes clear of her nearest opponent.

"There were a lot of things that happened to motivate me during the race. A few weeks ago my uncle died and it's his birthday today, so it really means a lot to me to break this record," Van der Merwe said.

In the U16 boys shot put final, Jaco van Dyk (AGN) produced a massive 20.25m heave, also breaking the national sub-youth record. Despite his impressive performance, Van Dyk had to work hard for the victory in a battle against Darius Botha (Athletics Vaal Triangle) who ultimately settled for the silver medal with a best throw of 19.32m.

In other events, Naeem Jack, who broke the SA U20 men's 110m hurdles record the day before (clocking 13.16 seconds in the opening round) went on to win the final in 13.22 in the colours of host province Western Province Athletics.
Jaeger Coetzee (Boland Athletics) won the U18 boys 400m race in an impressive time of 46.38 seconds, while Phenyo Miyen (AGN) stormed to victory in the U18 boys 110m hurdles contest in 13.16. Kiarah Dell (AGN) triumphed in the U16 girls 90m hurdles final in 12.48.

In field events, Hencu Lamberts (AGN) won the U20 men's shot put with a best attempt of 19.72m, while Ewald Jansen (ACNW) took the U20 men's javelin throw title with a 73.84m throw. Jayden Fourie (Athletics South West Districts) won the U18 boys long jump final with a 7.49m leap and Joshua Gerber (AGN) won the U18 boys discus throw event with a 60.85m effort.

After two days of action, Athletics Gauteng North remained top of the overall standings with a total of 92 medals (43 gold, 20 silver and 29 bronze), with Athletics Central North West lying second (18 gold, 12 silver and 9 bronze) and Central Gauteng Athletics in third (10 gold, 12 silver and 15 bronze).

"We are satified with the performances of these athletes despite the weather swinging this way and that way during the long day of nonstop competition, we want that our athletes to make it fashionable to win medals. 

"So, we also encourage everyone to go beyond that when breaking records and place their performance to world level standards.

"So, congratulations to all athletes and coaches! We look forward to an explosive day on Saturday and pray that thevweather doesn't bring us challenges that we cannot cope with in competition," said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa. 

* 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.

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