National Records Broken at 2025 ASA Grand Prix 1 in Tshwane

The ASA Grand Prix 1 in Tshwane featured significant records being broken by South African athletes, including Leandri Holtzhausen in hammer throw and the women’s 4x400m relay team. Notable performances included sprinter Karabo Letebele’s victory in the men’s 100m and Marione Fourie’s impressive hurdles time. President James Moloi commended the athletes on their achievements, marking the event as a strong opener for the season.

The ASA Grand Prix series commenced with an impressive display of talent at the Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane, where two national records were established. The event, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger meeting, saw Leandri Holtzhausen achieve a remarkable hammer throw of 67.95 meters, surpassing her previous record of 66.54 meters set last month. Holtzhausen expressed confidence in her abilities, stating her aspirations to approach the 70-meter mark.

In a remarkable team performance, the national women’s 4x400m relay team, consisting of Shirley Nekhubui, Miranda Coetzee, Marlie Viljoen, and Zeney Geldenhuys, broke the long-standing record by finishing in 3:28.30. This achievement surpassed the previous record set in 2016 by notable athletes including Caster Semenya.

Young sprinter Karabo Letebele made headlines by winning the men’s 100m race with a personal best of 10.19 seconds, tying for the fastest time with Emile Erasmus, while edging out Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala. Letebele credited his training focus for his unexpected victory. In the women’s 800m race, Prudence Sekgodiso triumphed in 1:59.01 while edging out Botswana’s Oratile Nowe.

Marione Fourie showcased her prowess by winning the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.77 seconds, marking the fastest time globally for the year, as she, along with Sekgodiso, prepared for the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships. In other notable results, Bayapo Ndori from Botswana clinched the men’s 400m in 44.59, while Aiden Smith won the men’s shot put with a throw of 20.73m.

James Moloi, President of Athletics South Africa, expressed enthusiasm regarding the performances, stating, “This has been a wonderful afternoon. I’m struggling to hold my excitement at the rate our athletes are breaking national records this early in the season.” The event served as an exhilarating start to the South African track and field season, showcasing the potential for continued excellence in athletics.

The 2025 ASA Grand Prix 1 highlighted the remarkable achievements of South African athletes, with two national records shattered. Leandri Holtzhausen’s hammer throw and the women’s 4x400m relay team’s performance set new benchmarks. The event also featured commendable individual performances across various categories, marking a promising beginning to the track and field season. Overall, the enthusiasm and high-level performances underscore the country’s athletic prowess.

Original Source: www.athletics.africa