ATHLETICS NEWS -
The Athletics Senior and Junior National Teams returned to South Africa, touching down at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday morning after they participated at the Athletics World Cup in London, England and the IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland.
In London, the Senior side finished seventh in the eight-nation competition hosted by British Athletics, while the Juniors finished sixth, improving from their 42nd placing at the previous edition.
Displaying humility and appreciation, South Africa's four medallists at the Meeting in Tampere last week, have thanked the nation for its support in reaching their goals.
Bagging three gold medals and one bronze, the SA team finished sixth on the medals table, achieving the country's best overall result at the international Junior showpiece since 2004.
Having secured a 400m Hurdles double at the IAAF World U18 Youth Championships in Nairobi, Kenya last year, Sokwakhana “Soks” Zazini and Zeney van der Walt achieved the feat once again.
Zazini covered the men's one-lap final over the barriers in 49.42 seconds, dragging three other athletes under the 50-second barrier.
"The experience I got here was amazing," Zazini said. "I'm very excited to win gold and without my country and people I would not have achieved what I did.
"I would like to thank Athletics South Africa for backing me, all my supporters for always being there and standing up for me whether I lose or win, as well as my teammates for supporting me and the management team who took care of us."
Van der Walt took a convincing victory in the women's contest in 55.34. "It was an amazing experience. To know your country is behind you and backing you all the way, to hear the crowd and just to compete in the green and gold means a lot," Van der Walt said.
