Fireworks are expected in the 100m and 200m events when some of Africa's fastest athletes square off at the second leg of the ASA Grand Prix series, a World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger meeting, at UJ Athletics Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.

All eyes will no doubt be on the sprint events where there are  strong fields in the men and women's contests.

African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya will be the headline act in the men's 100m dash where he will be looking to hit back after settling for third place at the ASA Grand Prix 1 meeting last week in Tshwane. But, he will have to hit his straps against a line-up which features Olympic relay medallist Bradley Nkoana, former Olympian Gift Leotlela and in-form athlete Sinesipho Dambile.

Another tight battle is also expected in the women's 100m sprint, where the entry list is spearheaded by national champion Viwe Jingqi and experienced athlete Tamzin Thomas.

In the men's 200m contest, the line-up is headed by junior athlete Bayanda Walaza who broke the SA U20 100m record last week when he clocked 9.99 seconds at the Athletics Gauteng North Championships in Tshwane. Despite his current reputation on the track, Walaza is unlikely to have it his own way against former World Athletics Championships finalist, Luxolo Adams.

The women's 200m race will include the likes of African Championships finalist Shirley Nekhubui and teenager Chane Vermeulen. Nekhubui, who won the 200m/400m double at last year's ASA Senior Championships, will also turn out in the women's 400m event.
Over a full lap, she will enter the blocks alongside the likes of Marlie Viljoen, as well as hurdles specialists Zeney Geldenhuys and Hannah van Niekerk.

The men's 400m race will also attract a lot of attention, where national champion Lythe Pillay headlines the entry list. Pillay's strongest opposition could come from Mazen Al Yasen of Saudi Arabia, an Asian Championships relay medallist.

SA short track 1500m record holder, Tsepho Tshite - a former 800m specialist, will compete over two laps. Tshite is unlikely to have things all his way, however, with the men's 800m line-up featuring some big names including Ketlhobogile Haingura and Tumo Nkape of Botswana.

In the women's 100m hurdles race, Marione Fourie is expected to turn out as the firm favourite after withdrawing from the SA team for this week's World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing for personal reasons. Fourie could be challenged by junior prospect Tumi Ramokgopa, who also goes in the 400m hurdles contest on the pre-programme.

African record holder Antonio Alkana lines up in the men's 110m hurdles race, while Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Jovan van Vuuren, will headline the men's long jump, which will be held ahead of the main programme.

This meeting has attracted athletes from at least 9 countries, including:
- Botswana
- Kenya
- Saudi Arabia
- Zimbabwe
- Eswatini
- Namibia
- Mauritius
- Denmark
- France.

The pre-programme at UJ Stadium starts at 1.30pm and the main programme begins at 5.15pm.

Scholars with their university cards and students in uniform will be allowed free entry.

The entry fee is R100 through  Gate 3 where a debit facilities will be available. And for the pre-programme, a participation fee of R70 will be charged to athletes. Gated parking is through Gate 3.

The ASA Grand Prix 2 meeting will be broadcast live on SuperSport Variety 4 (channel 209) between 6pm and 8pm.

The meeting is hosted under Central Gauteng Athletics. 

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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