South Africa’s track and field athletes returned from the CAA African Athletics Senior Championships in Accra, Ghana, with heads held high, having won 22 medals and topping the medals table at the competition. They had also won most medals at the previous such competition, in Cameroon in 2024.
In total, there were nine gold, four silver and nine bronze medals. Of the golds, three came on the track and six in the field.
Among the men, Luan Munnik (1500m), Valco van Wyk (pole vault), former world champion Luvo Manyonga (long jump) and Aiden Smith (shot put) all earned gold medals. In women’s events, the gold went to Karabo More (1500m), Rogail Joseph (400m hurdles), Kristi Snyman (high jump), Ansume de Beer (pole vault) and Colette Uys (shot put) won their events.
While eight of the country’s gold medallists won African titles for the first time, Joseph retained the continental 400m hurdles crown she secured in 2024.
“We are elated with the outcome. South Africa is African champions again!” said Deputy President and Acting President John Mathane of Athletics South Africa. Without doubt, the continental showpiece continues to be a great place to build character for our athletes for the global stage of competition. We congratulate each athlete for their efforts and for all achievements that now glorify our Rainbow Nation.”
Munnick led home teammate Tshepo in a memorable 1500m 1-2, while Manyonga’s gold continued a remarkable comeback story for the 2016 Rio silver medallist.
SA MEDALS
Gold
Luan Munnik, 1500m men
Karabo More, 1500m women
Rogail Joseph, 400m hurdles women
Kristi Snyman, high jump women
Valco van Wyk, pole vault men
Ansume de Beer, pole vault women
Luvo Manyonga, long jump men
Aiden Smith, shot put men
Colette Uys, shot put women
Silver
Bradley Nkoana, 100m men
Tshepo Tshite, 1500m men
Mateo le Roux, high jump men
Enya Pooler, heptathlon women
Bronze
Mihlali Xotyeni, 200m men
Wernich van Rensburg, 400m hurdles men
Zinzi Xulu, triple jump women
Righardt Stander, discus throw men
Tshepang Makhethe, hammer throw men
Leandri Holtzhausen, hammer throw women
Douw Smit, javelin throw men
Jana van Schalkwyk, javelin throw women
Morné van As, decathlon men
