The team topped the medals table at the World Athletics Relay Championships in Guangzhou, China last weekend. They won two golds and a bronze medal across four events.

Team SA relay athletes were welcomed warmly by a singing crowd upon their arrival at the OR Tambo International Airport.

In the men’s four by 100 meters, 19-year-old Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana and Akani Simbine stunned the athletics world. They recorded a time of 37. 61 seconds, the fastest of the year to edge out the United States by just 0.05 seconds.

In men’s four by 400 meters, the team of Gaerdeo Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer and Zakithi Nene raced to victory in 2 minutes 57 seconds.

The women’s four by 100 meters, Shirley Nekhubui, Miranda Coetzee, Precious Melepo and Zeney van der Walt set a new national record and claimed bronze in their event.

All four teams secured automatic qualification for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.


--SABC--