South Africa retained the continental title, securing 22 medals at the CAA African Athletics Senior Championships which concluded in Accra, Ghana on Sunday.

The SA team raked in nine gold, four silver and nine bronze medals to repeat their title-winning performance at the 2024 African Championships held in Cameroon.

Among the men, Luan Munnik (1500m), Valco van Wyk (pole vault), former world champion Luvo Manyonga (long jump) and Aiden Smith (shot put) all earned gold medals. In women's events, the gold went to Karabo More (1500m), Rogail Joseph (400m hurdles), Kristi Snyman (high jump), Ansume de Beer (pole vault) and Colette Uys (shot put) won their events.

While eight of the country's gold medallists won African titles for the first time, Joseph retained the continental 400m hurdles crown she secured in 2024.

"We are elated with the outcome. South Africa are African champions again!" was the immediate expression from Deputy President and Acting President John Mathane of Athletics South Africa. "The mandate was for the team to bring back the title and so they have. What more can we ask for?

"Without doubt, the continental showpiece continues to be a great place to build character for our athletes for the global stage of competition. We congratulate each athlete for their efforts and for all achievements that now glorify our Rainbow Nation."

SA medallists:

Men 

Gold

Luan Munnik, 1500m men
Karabo More, 1500m women
Rogail Joseph, 400m hurdles women
Kristi Snyman, high jump women
Valco van Wyk, pole vault men
Ansume de Beer, pole vault women
Luvo Manyonga, long jump men
Aiden Smith, shot put men
Colette Uys, shot put women

Silver

Bradley Nkoana, 100m men
Tshepo Tshite, 1500m men
Matao le Roux, high jump men
Enya Pooler, heptathlon women

Bronze

Mihlali Xotyeni, 200m men
Wernich van Rensburg, 400m hurdles men
Zinzi Xulu, triple jump women
Righardt Stander, discus throw men
Tshepang Mahkethe, hammer throw men
Leandri Holtzhausen, hammer throw women
Douw Smit, javelin throw men
Jana van Schalkwyk, javelin throw women
Morne van As, decathlon men

The National Team will return home on two different flights on Tuesday 19 May 2026 at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Group 1 -  Lands at 02h20 with Rwanda Air (Flight WB 202)

Group 2 - Lands at 03h55 with Ethiopian Airline (Flight ET 859).

Ends

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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.