Athletics Africa Magazine

Nigeria's Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in action in the shot put in Bragança Paulista (Wagner Carmo / CBAt) © Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi produced a national shot put record of 21.77m to beat Brazilian favourite Darlan Romani at the 35th Grande Prêmio Brasil Caixa de Atletismo in Bragança Paulista, São Paulo - the first leg of 2019 IAAF World Challenge and IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge - on Sunday 28 April. Romani, world ranked No.3 and winner of the 2018 Continental Cup, led with his 21.62m from round two, but Enekwechi responded in round three with 21.77m – a PB by 49 centimetres to take the definitive lead. Romani improved to 21.69m on his final throw, but it wasn’t enough to deliver the victory. USA’s Curtis Jensen was third with 20.40m. Enekwechi’s winning mark added one centimetre to the Nigerian record set three years ago by Stephen Mozia . It also moved Enekwechi, who is the reigning African Champion, up to second place on the African all-time list, just 20 centimetre...

Worknesh Degefa, left, and Lawrence Cherono celebrate after winning the 2019 Boston Marathon / Photo: BAA Ethiopia's Worknesh Degefa won the women’s field with a time of 2:23:31 and Kenya’s Lawrence Cherono took the men’s race with a time of 2:07:57 at the 123rd annual Boston Marathon on Monday. In the closest finish in the men's race since 1988, Cherono, making his Boston Marathon debut, held off two-time Boston Marathon champion Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia to clip the finish line tape in first position. Kenya’s Lawrence Cherono / Photo credit: Boston Marathon Cherono outkicked Lelisa Desisa in a sprint to the tape passing him just steps away from the finish line. Desisa finished was two seconds behind, in a time of 2:07:59, ahead of another Kenyan Kenneth Kipkemoi , who was third in 2:08:07. Ethiopia's Worknesh Degefa / Photo: Boston Marathon Kenya's Edna Kiplagat , the 2017 champion, finished second in 2:24:13 ahead of American Jordan Hasay , w...

© IOC/Fabrice Coffrini The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was strongly represented at the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC's) International Athlete Forum, which brought together around 350 athletes from more than 200 countries in Lausanne, Switzerland, this week (13-14 April). As part of a panel on the protection of clean sport featuring representatives from the IOC , WADA , the International Testing Agency and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) , Chair of the WADA Athletes Committee Beckie Scott spoke in particular about the work of the committee in the fight against doping. Scott also highlighted some of the group’s current priorities, including the development of the Anti-Doping Charter of Athlete Rights and of a strategy to ensure that the committee continues to strengthen the athletes’ voice within WADA and the wider anti-doping movement. Also speaking in this panel, Chief Operating Officer Frédéric Donzé updated the forum on recent devel...

Khalifa International Stadium in Doha / Photo credit: Doha DL The men’s shot put was one of the highest quality events across the athletics programme last season and six of the seven throwers who surpassed the 22-metre line will be competing in the Doha Diamond League - the first stage of the IAAF Diamond League 2019 - on 3 May. The event came to a climax in the Zurich Diamond League where reigning world indoor and outdoor champion Tom Walsh from New Zealand reached out to a second-round effort of 22.60m to eclipse the Diamond League record by four centimetres. “Breaking the Diamond League record in Zurich to win the Diamond League title was one of the highlights of my season. Of course, I have very high expectations this year as well and I have been pleased with my performances so far in 2019,” said Walsh. Walsh holds the world outdoor lead with 21.91m from the Australian Championships where he participated as a guest but the calibre of the field is such that a throw in e...

The Athletics South Africa Track & Field season steals the spotlight in March when it takes off with the Athletix Grand Prix Series in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Paarl. Seen here (from left to right):  Kyle Whitehall (Liquid Telecom South Africa Chief Executive Officer), Aleck Skhosana (the president of Athletics South Africa) and Michael Meyer (Managing Director of Stillwater Sports).  Photo Credit:  Tobias Ginsberg The first of three meetings will take place at Ruimsig Stadium, Johannesburg on Thursday, 1 March. The women’s 800m is one of many bouts to look out for on the day. Winnie Nanyondo of Uganda looks to be the race favourite with an 800m best of 1:58.63 which she ran in Monaco in 2014. Nanyondo is the Commonwealth Games 800m bronze medallist from 2014 and with a best of 53.72sec in the 400m, Nanyondo has the fastest half lap time on the field. Halimah Nakaayi has experienced both the World Championships (2017) and the Olympic Games (2016) and w...

While South Africa's top sprinters are expected to steal the show and experienced campaigners are favoured to dominate other disciplines, a number of junior prospects and resurgent stars are aiming to cause upsets at the ASA Senior and Combined Events Championships in Potchefstroom on Friday and Saturday.  With the likes of national 100m record holder Akani Simbine , SA 200m record holder Anaso Jobodwana , world 400m record holder Wayde van Niekerk and defending 100m champion Henricho Bruintjies tipped to battle it out for the short-sprint titles, they will need to hold off a new generation of determined teenage speedsters. Defending national 200m champion Clarence Munyai broke the SA Junior half-lap mark in Tshwane last month, clocking 20.10 seconds, while training partner Gift Leotlela shattered the Under-20 100m record with a 10.12 performance on the fast Tuks track. After covering the 100m dash in 9.95 earlier this season to join a growing list of local sub-10 sp...

Danette Smith winning the ASA Marathon Championships on Sunday 9 April, 2017 / Copyright © Rogan Ward Anele Dlamini and Danette Smith were crowned with national titles on Sunday after winning the ASA Marathon Championships incorporating the Durban City Marathon . Dlamini won the men's race, crossing the line at Kings Park Athletics Stadium in 2:22:23. He was followed by Duanee Fortuin who secured the silver medal in 2:23:00. Sikhumbuzo Seme finished third, though he was well off the pace, taking bronze in 2:28:11. While Raphael Segodi broke the tape first after an impressive gun-to-tape performance, he was disqualified for a licence rule violation as he did not have the front number on his vest. "Someone tried to help me and they pulled off my licence by mistake," Segodi said after the race, explaining he had fallen at the start. Central Gauteng Athletics team management filed an appeal, but the decision was upheld. Danette Smith took the national women's title w...

(l-r) Gift Leotlela and Clarence Munyai during day 2 of the South African National Junior Championships at Greenpoint Track on April 08, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Roger Sedres/ImageSA) Sprinter Gift Leotlela and middle-distance runner Simonay Weitsz were the top performers on Saturday, bringing to a close the ASA Junior and Youth Championships in style at Green Point Athletics Stadium, Cape Town . Leotlela stormed to a Personal Best in the Junior Men's 200m final, in the absence of national record holder Clarence Munyai, to charge across the line in 20.28 seconds. Munyai withdrew from the podium race as a precaution ahead of the ASA Senior Track & Field and Combined Events Championships in Potchefstroom on 20-22 April, after picking up a muscle strain in the semi-finals, leaving Leotlela as favourite. "I went out hard because I told myself to go hard the whole race," said Leotlela, the SA 100m record holder in his age group. "I remained r...

Cara Du Preez of Athletics Central North West in the women's U18 2000m steeplechase during day 1 of the South African National Junior Championships at Green Point Athletics stadium on April 07, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Roger Sedres/ImageSA) The country's top elite prospects battled strong winds on Friday, as the ASA Junior and Youth Championships got under way at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town . Shanley Koekemoer got the annual showpiece off to a spectacular start by setting a national best in the Youth Girls' 2 000m Steeplechase in the second track event of the morning. In a hard-fought battle against Cara du Preez and Lethabo Makgoga, Koekemoer won the five-lap race in 6:42.68. Du Preez settled for second place in 6:45.17, with Makgoga edged into third spot in 6:45.89. Later, in cool conditions of the evening track session, Thembo Monareng charged to victory in the Junior Men's 100m final. In the absence of defending cha...

Patrick Ugbe, Commissioner for Sports in Cross Rivers State, Nigeria, gives an insight into the comprehensive sports development projects of the Liyel Imoke's government and the state's efforts to host the National Sports Festival and the World Mountain Running Championships in Obudu in 2014. Copyright © 2012 AthleticsAfrica.Com

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded the exclusive terrestrial television, and non-exclusive radio and mobile platform broadcast rights in Sub-Saharan Africa for the London 2012 Olympic Games to Octagon . IOC President Jacques Rogge said, “We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Octagon and look forward to working with them over the coming months to ensure a comprehensive broadcast of the Games in the region.” IOC Executive Board member, Richard Carrión , who led the negotiations, said, “This is a new approach for broadcast rights in this region for the IOC. Our new partner Octagon has acquired the rights and will now begin to look for broadcast partners, who will be able to utilise a broadcast feed tailored for Sub-Saharan African viewers. "We will be working closely with Octagon to ensure that the widest possible audience has access to the London 2012 Olympic Games.” Qondisa Ngwenya , MD Octagon Africa, explained, “Octagon Africa is ex...

London 2012 Olympic Park The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) today reduced the qualifying standards in six event disciplines for athletes aiming to compete at the 2012 Olympic Games in London next summer. The events are the 400m (Men & Women) and 400m Hurdles, 5000m, Javelin Throw & Shot Put for Women. An IAAF statement reads: Following a study on the approved Qualification Standards for the Athletics Competitions of the Games of the XXX Olympiad, London 2012 (3 to 12 Aug), the requirements in six event disciplines have been eased. The London 2012 Qualification Standards, originally approved by the IAAF Council in April 2011, were reviewed by the Technical Delegates on the basis of the results of the 2011 IAAF World Championships, Daegu, Korea (27 Aug to 4 Sep), and the overall 2011 world season lists, with adjustments made to help ensure that the correct number of athletes will be entered in each event for next year’s Olympic ...

MAPUTO (MOZ, Sep 15): Nigeria was the best country in athletics at All-African Games with 21 medals (10-6-5). Second Ethiopia 6-7-7 and third Kenya 5-5-7. In total 22 countries won medals in athletics. During last day the most sensational win was by Kenyan in javelin. Julius Yego improved the national record with 78.34 m. Kenyans also won the 4x400 m in 3:03.10. Caleb Ndiku was the best in the 1500 m (3:39.12) ahead of Collins Cheboi 3:39.72. But in 5000 m Uganda celebrated as Moses Kipsiro won in 13:43.08 ahead of Ethiopian Yenew Alamirew 13:43.33. In half-marathon Ethiopia ruled. Desisa Lelisa 1:04:31 was the best and and in women race Mare Dibaba 1:10:47 ahead of Mamitu Daska 1:10:52. Irene Jelegat won the 1500 m for Kenya in 4:13.67. Nigeria won three golds. Oludamola Osayomi was the best in the 200 m (22.86, +1.9), Ajoke Odumosu in the 400 m hurdles (56.26) and the relay team clocked 3:31.21 to win. Mohamed Younis cleared 225 national record to win the high jump, Luvo ...

NAIROBI (KEN): Former 800m world champion Janeth Jepkosgei will lead over a thousand athletes as the country selects its best runners for the continental event next month. Jepkosgei, like many other elite athletes, have returned home to fight for places on Kenya team and the trials on Thursday will confirm who is fit enough to wear the national jersey come July 28 to August 1 when Nyayo National Stadium will stage continent’s premier event, the Senior Africa Athletics Championship. The first two athletes across the line will qualify while the third will be picked through the coaches’ wild card. Kenya will select a total of 144 athletes in all events. Jepkosgei will however seek another stage to end any doubt in the simmering rivalry with Olympic Champion Pamela Jelimo. Writes The Nation. World 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot is struggling with a thigh strain leaving Sylvia Kibet, the world silver medallist as the favourite. Linet Masai, the world 10,000m champion will also line up as...

Ethiopia's Imane Merga took a photo finish victory in the men's 5,000m in 13:00.12 ahead of Kenya's Alex Sammy Mutahi who blocked everyone to nick second in a personal best time of 13:00.12. Moses Ndiema Kipsiro of Uganda was third in 13.00.15 with Tariku Bekele of Ethiopia fourth in 13:00.81. A superb controlled run in the women's 800m by Moroccan 'new kid on the block' Halima Hachlaf produces a World Leading time of 1:58.40 ahead of the Olympic Silver and Bronze medallists Kenya's Janeth Jepkosgei (1:58.85) and Briton Jenny Meadows (1:58.89); both with 2010 season's best times at the IAAF Diamond League in Rome. Kenya's Augustine Kiprono Choge won the men's 1,500m , despite taken ill earlier, in 3:32.21 ahead of compatriot's Daniel Kipchirchir Komen (3:33.08) and Geoffrey Kipkoech Rono (3:33.89). Antar Zerguelaine of Algeria was fourth in 3:34.82. In the women's Javelin Throw , South Africa's Sunette Viljoen finished se...

Kenyan Daniel Chebii won the 10 miles in Bern in 48:52. Runner up Vasil Matviychuk from Ukraine (49:12) narrowly beat Eritrean Simon Tesfaye (49:22). Kenyan Paul Kipkorir was fourth in 49:29. In the women’s race Hungarian Aniko Kalovics easily won from Kenyan Tabita Gichia with 56:02 over 57:48. Olympic champ Nancy Lagat won her event the 1500m in 4:44.8 during second day of Kenyan Army Forces Championships. Former world steeple bronze medallist Jeruto Kiptum was second in 4:45.5 while Ines Chenonges third in 4:46.0. Lagat also won the 800 m (2:08.4). Jackson Kivuva secured a gold in the 800 m in 1:47.6 and coming in second to Gideon Gathimmba in the 1500 event (3:47.2). Gathimba achieved 3:46.8. World XC Champion Joseph Ebuya, who after collapsing in 10,000m race recovered 24 hours later to win the 5000 m in 13:46.7. The men steeple racee was a closely contested affair but the honours went to Linus Chumba who was timed 8:29.0. Chumba’s team-mate Abraham Chirchir managed 8:29.6 to clai...

BRAZZAVILLE (CGO): African Confederation Golden meet in Brazzaville will be staged on May 30. 16 events will be on the programme with prize money in three categories p remium, classic and promotional ranging from 4000 to 2000 USD for individual wins. WURZBURG (GER, Apr 25): Kenyan success at 22nd Wurzburg 10 km road race. Jacob Cheshari in fast 27:56 over Titus Mbishei 28:16 and Charles Maina 28:27. Best Europeabn Sondre Nordstad Moen of Norway as 10th in 29:40. In women category Berlin 4th placer Grace Momanyi clocked 31:34 and had clear win over Jane Gakunyi (33:52). German Julia Viellehner was best European as 10th (36:45). KRAKOW (POL, Apr 25): Ethiopian Abebe Dagane won the 9th Cracovia Maraton in 2:16:13. Belarus Dmitriy Baranovski was second (2:22:16). Also in women category Ethiopia for Etaferahu Tarekegne in 2:37:22 beating Poland´s Agnieszka Gortel (2:39:16) and Russian Yuliya Vinokurova (2:40:23). NANCY (FRA, Apr 25): World CC Champion Joseph Ebuya won the 30th edition of...

South Africa's athletics coach Wilfred Daniels has quit his job over the shoddy and disgraceful handling of the sex verification saga of World 800m champion Caster Semenya before her gold medal win in Berlin. Daniels, who announced his resignation at the weekend, said the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had noticed the teenager's phenomenal performance at the junior championships in Mauritius. He told private radio station Talk Radio 702 : "Before Caster left for Berlin, she was then asked to go to a clinic here in Pretoria to undergo some of these tests but the tests were not explained to her properly. "The normal urine or blood test - that is what she was told. According to the source that I spoke to, it was actually some sort of gender verification test that was done on her. "Caster was put in this unenviable position where she had to endure what she had to endure because we didn't brief her properly, we didn't explain to her...

Meseret Defar capped her short but sterling indoor campaign with a 9:06.26** World best to highlight a thoroughly entertaining inaugural edition of the aptly named Meeting of World Record Holders meet in the Czech capital on Thursday. “My goal was to get three world records this season,” said Defar, who eight days ago broke the world indoor mark in the 5000m with a 14:24.37 run in Stockholm. “I only missed one, so that’s not bad.” Read more on Defar's 9:06.26 run in Prague .

Top Nigerian athletes, including the World Indoor 60m champion Olusoji Fasuba have arrived at the Abuja camp of the Nigerian athletics team for tommorrow's NNPC/ExxonMobil track and field championships at the National Stadium. Athletes such as Uche Isaacs, Adetoyi Durotoye, Deji Aliu, Taiwo Ajibade and Uchenna Emedolu are expected to compete with Fasuba for the first three positions on offer for the 100m men at the Olympics. In the Women events, African champions, Damola Osayemi (100m), Ajoke Odumosu (400mH) and Toyin Augustus (100mH) and other US based athletes; Jessica Ohanaja (100mH) Brenda Toluwani Faluade (Triple Jump) are all set to contest at the trials.