Athletics: AAC Southern Region Cross-country competition
South Africans make clean sweep of titles
ON a hot Saturday morning, South African distance runners made a clean sweep of the four titles over strong international fields in the African Athletics Confederation’s (AAC) Southern Region cross-country races at the Reef golf course, Anse Aux Pins.
Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Vincent Meriton, Youth, Sports and Culture principal secretary Denis Rose and National Sports Council chief executive Alain Volcère graced the competition with their presence. Mr Rose also presented the prizes.
Sylvia Tshetlanyane opened South Africa’s gold-medal spree with victory in the junior female 6km race in 22 minutes, 19.9 seconds (22:19.9).
“The course is very flat and the race was fine and enjoyable. It’s a good preparation for the World Cross-country in Poland on March 26,” 17-year-old Tshetlanyane told Sports Nation.
Second was Letitia Saayman (22:21.8), while last year’s winner Ashleigh Schnetler was third 22:30.4. They both come from South Africa.
Seychellois Stephanie Augustin (30:11.1) and Marie-Antoinette Robert (37:22.3) finished eighth and ninth.
The first male athlete to cross the finish line of the junior 8km race was South African Joel Mmone in 24:56.4.
“I feel good after the win, but it was a hard race on a very hot day,” he said.
Tsepo Ramonene of Lesotho, who dared challenge the South Africans and led for most of the race before losing the lead, finished second in 25:09.7 and last year’s winner Sityhilo Diko of South Africa was ranked third in 25:31.7.
The final three places went to Seychellois Randolph Prudence (seventh in 30:18.3), Keddy Moustache (eighth in 31”42.3) and Randy Gappy (ninth in 34:11.9).
Lebogang Phakula of South Africa claimed her seventh consecutive title with a time of 28:56.8 in the women’s 8km race, relegating twin sister Diana Lebo Phakula into second place in 29:15.8.
“I’m very happy with my seventh win,” said 26-year-old Lebogang, who joked that sister Diana had finished first.
“It was a fast and nice race on a flat course. The ladies run fast, but I trained hard for it,” added Lebogang, who is looking forward to compete with the best in the world.
Matswana Onneile Dintwe finished third in 29:40.2.
After Sandra Adonis retired at the end of the first lap, Seychellois Simone Jaffa finished ninth (35:58.5) and Anna Barra 10th (37:29.3).
South African Stephen Mokoka succeeded countryman Boy Soke as the men’s senior 12km champion with a time of 37:19.8.
“The condition was hot and humid and it is the first time I run on grass,” said Mokoka.
“The race was very tough as early as the first lap. You can just imagine the battle in the remaining five laps. But it was a very nice race and we worked as a team to pull each other. I felt in the later stages and pulled clear to win,” added Mokoka.
South Africans Lungisa Mdedelwa (37:22.5) and Joseph Xolisa Tyali (37:34.6) completed the medals podium.
With Simon Labiche snubbing the event and Jemmy Anacoura not completing the distance, James Barra was the only Seychellois runner to come home in 49:19.2 for 20th and last position.
After their impressive displays, the South Africans won the best team title.
In the 2km race for secondary school athletes, Natifa Philoé of Anse Royale was first in the female category with 9:08.1, followed in second and third places by Isabelle Savy (Anse Royale 9;12.2) and Angela Boniface (9:14.3).
Victory in the male category went to Joshua Adeline of Plaisance in 6:40.2, while Pointe Larue’s Laurent Vel (6:40.5) and Eddy Sinon (6:55.6) were second and third.
G. G.
Source: NATION 3-1-10