Walaza and Ramokgopa Shine at the Athletics SA Grand Prix 2

(The Post News)– Bayanda Walaza and rising hurdles star Tumi Ramokgopa stole the spotlight at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Grand Prix 2 on Wednesday night, with a thrilling display of speed and record-breaking performances at the UJ Stadium in Johannesburg.

Walaza, the reigning world junior champion, stormed to victory in the men’s 200m, clocking 20.08 seconds and slicing 0.02 off the previous national U20 record set by Clarence Munyai in 2017. Despite the cold and wet conditions, he finished well ahead of Lucky Moleyane (20.36) and former World Championships finalist Luxolo Adams (20.43).

Fresh off his historic 9.99-second 100m at the Athletics Gauteng North Championships, Walaza was ecstatic about his performance. “The weather wasn’t ideal, but speed is speed. You can’t control the conditions, so you have to make the best of them,” he said.

In the women’s 100m hurdles, 17-year-old Ramokgopa made history by finishing second in 13.22, shaving 0.13 off the SA junior record set in 2016. National senior record holder Marione Fourie won in 12.69. “I knew competing against Marione would push me, but I didn’t expect to run this fast,” Ramokgopa admitted.

Other highlights included Udeme Okon’s personal best of 45.27 in the men’s 400m, Ferdinand Omanyala’s 100m win in 10.08, and Nikithemba Hani’s 8.01m long jump triumph.