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Thrilling climax expected at ASA Grand Prix series in Potch─── 14:23 Tue, 25 Apr 2023
South Africa's top-flight track and field season is expected to come to a thrilling close on Wednesday with the third and final leg of the ASA Grand Prix Series, a World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger meeting in Potchefstroom.
Tamzin Thomas, who claimed double silver at the recent ASA Senior Championships on the same track, will also be hoping to build on her superb form this season as she lines up in the women's 100m and 200m events.
In the men's 200m sprint, 21-year-old Sinesipho Dambile, a former World U20 Championships medallist, will be equally eager to close the domestic season in style.
With Kenyan athlete Ferdinand Omanyala already in Gaborone for the Botswana Golden Grand Prix after winning the 100m sprint at the first two legs of the South African series, 18-year-old Bradley Nkoana will want to display his tremendous ability against senior opposition in the short dash.
Versatile hurdler Taylon Bieldt will be targeting a double over the 100m and 400m distances over the barriers, but she will again have to be at her best in both contests.
Bieldt turns out against SA champion Marione Fourie in the 100m hurdles and she will face former Youth Olympic Games champion Gezelle Magerman in the 400m hurdles.
In the flat 400m races, Marlie Viljoen returns to line up as favourite after storming to victory at the ASA Grand Prix 2 meeting in Germiston last week and Olympic athlete Thapelo Phora will turn out in the men's event.
Among the expected highlights in other disciplines, African record holder Antonio Alkana will be chasing another victory in the men's 110m hurdles after showing great form this year, and Kyle Blignaut, who is also in the line-up in the Botswana event this weekend, will hope to get back to his best in the men's shot put before he leaves.
Though it is a small field, with just four athletes in the provisional entries, there should also be a closely contested battle in the men's javelin throw.
National champion Waldouw Smit and former World U20 Championships medallist Johann Grobler will be up against African Championships medallist Alexander Kiprotich of Kenya and Martin Konecny of the Czech Republic.
Jo-Ane van Dyk, who won the African title in Mauritius last year, will spearhead the line-up in the women's javelin throw.
