TRACK & FIELD: SA’s future stars shine at world junior athletics championships

South Africa's promising track athletes secured an impressive eight medals, including one gold, three silver, and four bronze, at the biennial World Athletics U20 Championships held in Eugene, Oregon from August 5 to 9. This performance set a new record for South Africa, surpassing their previous best of nine medals achieved in 2021.

Jan-Hendrik Heymans, a 19-year-old javelin thrower, was the standout performer, winning gold with an outstanding throw of 80.50 meters, which shattered his personal best by over three meters. Ashish Yadav of India secured silver with a throw of 74.09 meters, while Addison James of Dominica took home the first-ever world U20 medal for his country with a bronze in the men's triple jump (73.89m).

Tumi Ramokgopa and Marko Ferreira also contributed with two silver medals each in the 100m and 100m hurdles, respectively. South Africa's hurdler and sprinter Tumi Ramokgopa won a silver in the 100m hurdles and a bronze in the 400m hurdles, while Marko Ferreira claimed bronze in the 100m sprint, and Leendert Koekemoer secured bronze in the 400m event.

Koekemoer anchored the team to a 4x400m relay silver, setting an African U20 record with a time of 3:02.76. Matodzi Ndou and Jaco van Dyk rounded out the team's medal haul with bronze finishes in the 400m hurdles and shot put, respectively. John Mathane, Athletics South Africa's acting president, expressed immense pride in the team's performance, emphasizing the outstanding talent and determination of South Africa's young athletes.