At the South African nationals, some fine long jumping, sprinting and middle distance running. Pay particular attention to the opener by Caster Semenya over , 1500 meters, who ran a WL of 4:02.50. Caster had attempted to break the NR of Zola Bubb, now 34 years old, missing the 4:01.88 NR and running her second best.
Caster Semenya, Faith Kipyegon, Jenny Simpson, London WC 2017, photo by PhotoRun.net
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Samaai 839, Adams 20.01, Simbine 10.08
PAARL (RSA, Mar 22): London bronze medalist Ruswahl Samaai leaped to excellent 839 to win the long jump during third leg of Liquid Telecom Athletics Grand Prix series in South Africa. With +1.0 wind it is his second career best in a series of five 8 metres jumps. “Our plan is always to execute on the first jump and take it from there. I knew I was going to get a big jump today – I could feel it. Now we just have to stay healthy and improve. I have bigger distances in mind. I don’t like to talk about performances but I need to showcase (what I can do),” said Samaai for supersport.com. Second 20 years old Cheswell Johnson improved to 812 (-0.7) and beat Zarck Visser 799 and Khotso Mokoena 789. Caster Semenya attacked 34 year old 1500 m national record of Zola Budd but clocked 4:02.50 World lead and her second best ever. Second Dominique Scott 4:08.61 who was for most of the race with Semenya. The timing showed after finish line 3:57 but it was corrected later. Fast 200 m was won by Luxolo Adams who improved to 20.01 (+1.9) after a top duel with Anaso Jobodwana who was timed with 20.07. In the 100 m national record holder Akani Simbine posted good 10.08 (-0.4) clearly ahead of Simon Magakwe 10.24 and Henricho Bruintjies 10.27. Surprise in men’s javelin where Rocco van Rooyen won with a throw of 75.20 in difficult wind conditions. Former World champion Julius Yego was fourth 73.34. Antonio Alkana won the hurdles in World leading 13.39 (+0.1), also Cornel Fredericks 49.68 in the 400 m hurdles and Carina Horn 11.25 (-0.5) in women´s 100 m. Victor Hogan topped discus 63.19 and in solid middle distances Ryhardt Van Rensburg 1:46.15 in the 800 m and steeple specialist Rantso Mokopane big mile PB 3:58.92 over 19 years old George Kusche 3:58.96 PB.