Sprinting and middle distance races always seem to be the ‘main events’ at major as well as local competitions. The fast and explosive action of these events psyches up the crowd, thus leaving little or no limelight for field events. The irony is that field stars are some of the most explosive and technically sound athletes in the sport. Here’s a look at some of the country’s elite and up-coming field event specialists.
The men’s and women’s long (and now also triple) jump events are starting to get as much attention as any competitor, because South Africa brags some of the best long-jump athletes in the world. The leading men and women hail from the ‘University of Jumpers’ (UJ) and include: Ruswahl Samaai (Commonwealth Bronze medallist), Dylon Cotter (Olympic Qualifier), Lynique Prinsloo (South African Long Jump champion), Zarck Visser (Commonwealth Silver medallist) and Zinzi Chabangu (South African junior record holder).
These athletes usually create hype once they set foot on the track and adding to this list is exciting Pukke star Koketso Mogapi who has showcased that he might just jump over the 8-metre mark.
The high jump events, on the other hand, usually happen in the corner of the track, thus not getting much attention. Not many people know that the high jump athletes lining up at the Varsity Athletics competition need to go through intensive mental training in order to get over the first jump (even if it’s just 1.6m).
The country’s top high jumpers, that will be lining up on Thursday are: Mpho Link from Tuks (South African Representative), Julia du Plessis from the University of Potchefstroom (South African senior champion and international medallist), Geraldine King from the University of Western Cape (South African senior representative) and Cluide Ruiters from the University of Western Cape (2.10m jumper).
Chad Herman from Tuks has become an Olympic hopeful for the men’s Javelin throw, whilst Tshepang Makhete from Pukke is the only athlete that provides competition for legendary Hammer-thrower Chris Harmse. The star boasts throws of over 70m whilst Herman is looking to get over the 80m in his specialist event.
Shot-putter Sonia Smuts from Tuks, however, is on a level of her own as she looks to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games with in the women’s shot-put whereas Stefanie Greyling looks to set the bar by getting a big throw of over 60m in her women’s Hammer-throw event.
Leandri Geel (Discus Throw), Menzi Mthembu (Triple Jump), Megan Wilke (Javelin Throw) and Garth Ellis (High Jump) are also a few athletes that promise to ‘set the field alight’ on any given day.
The Varsity Athletics competition provides a great platform for these youngsters and you’d be missing out by failing to look further than the track, and into a field of stars.
By Reginald Hufkie
