byAlfonz Juck
The South African Championships are on day 1. Akani Simbine is running well, as is Wayde Van Niekerk. This writer is looking forward to seeing how fast the veterans can go in this early season. The road to Budapest has begun!
Simbine 9.92 WL
POTCHEFSTROOM (RSA, Mar 30): Akani Simbine clocked a 100m early world lead of 9.92 (0.6) in the semifinals of the South African Championships, following 9.98 (1.0) in the heats. Later he won the final in 10.14 (-0.2), while his announced opponents, Clarence Munyai and Henricho Bruintjies, did not start. Javelin throw titles went to Jo-Ane Van Dyk (60.97) and Waldo Smit (74.59). Superstar Wayde Van Niekerk clocked 45.99 in the 400m heats, as three others went sub-46 (45.93 PB Ivan Danny Geldenhuys the fastest). Antonio Alkana clocked 13.38 (1.9) in the 110m hurdles heats, and Nikithemba Hani was the best qualified (776) in the highly expected long jump. Carina Horn won the 100m final in 11.52 (-1.3), clocking 11.29 (0.6) in heats, and Shirley Nekhubui was the fastest (51.80 PB) in the 400m heats.
