South African team for World Athletic Champs named by ASA

A 40-member team will represent South Africa at the World Athletics Championship between 15 and 24 July in Eugene, Oregon.

The squad made up of 27 men, and 13 women includes the likes of 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk, Olympic 100m finalist Akani Simbine and former World Championships long jump medallist Ruswahl Samaai.

Ten of the members are under 23, including sprinters Shaun Maswanganyi, Sinesipho Dambile, Lindokuhle Gora, Shirley Nekhubui, Precious Molepo and Gontse Morake, hurdlers Sokwakhana Zazini, Zeney van der Walt and Marione Fourie and middle-distance runner Prudence Sekgodiso.

“This is our team of warriors who are going to defend our honour in the USA,” said James Moloi, the president of Athletics South Africa.

“We are happy for all of them for qualifying to be in the final team selection. We also congratulate all athletes who made the team because they really worked hard to meet the required standards.

“It’s an exciting team and the beginning of a new era. This is a team made of a good head count of 10 athletes under the age of 23 years who are all seeking glory at the biggest athletics stage on earth. Even if we may not be able to predict the end results, South Africa is definitely going to war against the rest of the world for the ultimate glory of the athletics podium.”

Full squad:

Akani Simbine, Gift Leotela, Clarence Munyani, Henricho Bruintjies, Emile Erasmus, Luxolo Adams, Shaun Maswanganyi, Sinesipho Dambile, Wayde van Niekerk, Zakithi Nene, Tshepo Tshite, Ryan Mpahele, Antonio Alkana, Sokwakhana Zazini, Adriaan Wildschutt, Precious Mashele, Melikhaya Frans, Tumelo Motlagale, Wayne Snyman, Werner Visser, Victor Hogan, Johan Grobler, Ruswahl Samaai, Jovan van Vuuren, Cheswill Johnson, Lindukuhle