Sinesipho Dambile delivered a third South African 200m title at the national track and field championships in Stellenbosch and crossed the line raising three fingers on each hand as the clock stopped at 20.02 seconds. Considering the conditions – typically mid-April Western Cape damp and blustery – it was a satisfying time.
More satisfying was that it’s now three national titles – 2022, 2025 and 2026.
“It is very special man, I have to win it back-to-back to back to back,” Dambile told media. “I’ve seen the consistency of 400m when Wayde (van Niekerk) was there, I saw the consistency of Akani (Simbine) in the 100m and I’ve actually never seen in the 200m someone being that consistent. I wanted to be that guy and I’m definitely working towards that.”
Lythe Pillay (pictured) came through in the one-lap 400m to win his title in 45.22. “The plan was just to execute,” Pillay said. “I knew that Leendert and Udeme were the two on my inside lane, so I wouldn’t be able to gauge them until either it was too late to the finish or they caught me early on. My plan was just run a bold race, run strong. I know where my strengths are this season and just to bear out the weather.”
In the women’s 400m, Marlie Viljoen won her first national title in 51.72, while Jada van Staden and Isabella Gunter followed her home.
“Today was only about running for a gold medal, I wasn’t looking for a time. I’m actually happy with the time in the conditions, but today was only about getting the gold medal,” Viljoen told media.
Kayla la Grange took the women’s 200m, clocking 23.37, while there were wins for Denmar Jacobs (men’s 1000m hurdles), Marione Fourie (women’s 100m hurdles), Jana van Schalkwyk (women’s javelin), Danielle Nolte (women’s long jump), Edmund du Plessis (men’s 800m) while Karaba More outlasted 800m champion and Olympic finalist Prudence Sekgodiso to claim the women’s 1500m.
Photo: Roger Sedres
