The curtain comes down on the South African athletics season this weekend when about 1 500 junior and youth athletes converge in Pretoria for the South African Junior and Youth Championships.
Much is at stake. For some this is a chance to be crowned a South African champion. For others it provides an opportunity to qualify for the IAAF World Youth Championships to be held in Ostrava, Czech Republic, from July 11 to 15 — a goal that will presumably fill the minds of the 700-plus youth athletes who will be coming from Athletics South Africa’s (ASA) 17 provinces.
Just as in the senior championships, ASA will be using these championships as trials to select the South African team to the IAAF World Youth Championships. All athletes who place in the top two of their respective events within the IAAF qualification standards will be named in the provisional team for the championships.
It will be a tough task, though, as the required standards set out by the IAAF are high.
The South African championships start on Friday April 13 and finish the next day. Of particular interest will be to see how the new South African youth record holder in the pole vault, Chayme Rahme, fares.
On March 9 at the final of the Yellow Pages Ultimate Athletics, Rahme set a new South African youth record by clearing 4,92m. Rahme, who is in the Central Gauteng team, will be in action on the Saturday at noon.
Such is the talent of this youngster, he is well worth watching. His technique is a sight to behold and his athleticism is beyond question. — Sapa