Teenage sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza has been included in a 49-member South African team for the 20th World Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo, Japan, from 13-21 September.
This is despite the fact he had pulled up injured during the 100m at the Diamond League Final in Zurich late last month.
The winner of the sprint double at the recent World University Games will only take part in one individual event, the men’s 100m, in Tokyo, despite also qualifying for the 200m. He will also not be part of the men’s 4x100m relay team.
Record holders
Athletics South Africa (ASA) announced the team of 32 men and 17 women for the World Championships.
The team features eight national record holders, including Akani Simbine (100m), Tshepo Tshite (1 500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10 000m), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), Elroy Gelant (marathon), Marione Fourie (100m hurdles), Ashley Erasmus (shot put) and Jessica Groenewald (35km race walk).
Wayde van Niekerk, the 400m world record holder and the only former world outdoor champion in the team will focus on the 200m event.
Meanwhile, although she hasn’t won a world outdoor title, world indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso is also in the squad, having been a regular feature on the Diamond League circuit this season.
In World Athletics Championships history, South Africa lie tied-19th on the overall medal table with 12 gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze medals.
SA team for the World Athletics Championships:
Men
Akani Simbine (100m), Bayanda Walaza (100m), Gift Leotlela (100m), Sinesipho Dambile (200m), Naeem Jack (200m), Wayde van Niekerk (200m), Zakithi Nene (400m), Lythe Pillay (400m), Tshepo Tshite (1 500m), Ryan Mphahlele (1500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10 000m), Elroy Gelant (marathon), Mondray Barnard (110m hurdles), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), John Adesola (110m hurdles), Sabelo Dhlamini (400m hurdles), Kyle Rademeyer (pole vault), Brian Raats (high jump), Cheswill Johnson (long jump), Aiden Smith (shot put), Chris van Niekerk (shot put), Victor Hogan (discus), Douw Smit (javelin), Wayne Snyman (20km race walk), Bradley Nkoana (4x100m), Retshidisitswe Mlenga (4x100m), Abduraghmaan Karriem (4x100m), Shaun Maswanganyi (4x100m), Udeme Okon (4x400m mixed), Gardeo Isaacs (4x400m mixed), Leendert Koekemoer (4x400m mixed), Mthi Mthimkulu (4x400m mixed)
Women
Shirley Nekhubui (400m), Miranda Coetzee (400m), Prudence Sekgodiso (800m), Charne Swart-Du Plessis (800m), Marione Fourie (110m hurdles), Zenéy van der Walt (400m hurdles), Rogail Joseph (400m hurdles), Miré Reinstorf (pole vault), Danielle Nolte (long jump), Ashley Erasmus (shot put), Miné de Klerk (shot put), Colette Uys (shot put), Jo-Ane du Plessis (javelin), Jessica Groenewalt (35km race walk), Marie Viljoen (4x400m mixed), Precious Molepo (4x400m mixed), Hannah van Niekerk (4x400m mixed)
Which event at the World Athletics Championships are you most looking forward to watching?
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