SPRINT sensations Tshenolo Lemao and Retshidisitswe Mlenga could headline the South African team to the IAAF World Under 20 Championships next year.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) yesterday named a 38-member national preparation squad ahead of the junior championships to be held in Tampere, Finland, in July.
The two 100m and 200m speedsters, who struck gold at the IAAF World U-18 Championships in Nairobi in July, featured prominently in the list which also includes record-breaking 400m hurdlers Sokwakhana Zazini and Zeney van der Walt, young High jump specialist Breyton Poole.
As expected, ASA has set a stricter qualifying criterion and all athletes have to achieve the ‘A’ standard and prove their fitness to be awarded places in the preliminary team in March.
The preliminary and final teams will be announced closer to the time of the event.
This method will also increase competition for places and ensure the country sends athletes with a greater prospect of medals to the global junior spectacle.
The athletics governing body have in the past argued their selection of teams was based on the promotion of excellence, getting results and not just to add numbers in international events.
“We are pleased to have such a large group of young athletes sticking up their hands and showing potential to be included in the final team. We wish them well in their preparation,” said ASA president Aleck Skhosana.
“These championships will provide participants with a stepping stone towards greater heights at senior level, as part of a long-term goal to prepare a world beating squad for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.”
Also in the squad are athletes, who have achieved the ASA Junior ‘B’’ qualifying standard during the 2017 National Championships and appear on the latest 2017 ASA ranking lists.
ASA PREPARATION SQUAD
100 m Men
Monareng Mthembu (AGN)
Tsebo Matsoso (AFS)
Dlodlo Thando (CGA)
Mhlenga Retsiditswe (AGN)
Tshenolo Lemao (AGN)
200 m Men
Monareng Mthembu (AGN)
Tsebo Matsoso (AFS)
Dlodlo Thando (CGA)
Mhlenga Retsiditswe (AGN)
Tshenolo Lemao (AGN)
400 m Men
Zazini Sokwakhana (AGN
1500 m Men
Dais Malebane (AGN)
400 m Hurdles Men (91cm)
Maree Linford (BOLA)
Steenkamp Lourens (LIMA)
Zazini Sokwakhana (AGN)
3000 m Steeple Chase Men
De Villiers Robbert (ACNW)
High jump Men
Breyton Poole (WPA
Pole vault Men
Van der Watt Ekhardt (BOLA)
Van Wyk Valco (BOLA)
Shot put Men (6 kg)
Blignaut Kayle (CGA)
De Lacey Jonathan (CGA)
Javelin throw Men (800 g)
Dames Werner (ANWN)
Skinner Brendan (AGN)
Schlebusch Johannes (AFS)
400 m Women
Vercuiel Juli (WPA)
Viljoen Marlie (AGN)
Van Der Walt Zeney (AGN)
800 m Women
Weitz Simonay (CGA)
Muller Niene (AGN)
1500 m Women
Weitz Simonay (CGA)
Belling Taylor (AFS)
100 Hurdles Women (84 cm)
Hendricks Welmien (CGA)
Erhke Tanya (CGA)
400 Metres Hurdles Women
Vercuiel Juli (WPA)
Van Der Walt Zeney (AGN)
Joseph Rogail (BOLA)
Shot put Women (4 kg)
Strydom Mieke (SWD)
Discus throw Women (1 kg)
Van der Walt Tharina (AFS)