Van Niekerk brings SA Champs to close, cruising to 400m title in Potch

Wayde van Niekerk and Leandri Geel stood out as the third day of the ASA Senior Track & Field Championships closed with a bang in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

Van Niekerk, turning out for Boland Athletics (BOLA), charged to victory in the men's 400m final in 44.17 seconds.

The 400m world record holder clocked his fastest time in more than five years over the one-lap distance.

Rising star Lythe Pillay of Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) secured the silver medal in a personal best 44.80 and Gardeo Isaacs earned bronze in 45.15 for Western Province Athletics (WPA).

"This is a massive jump for me and hopefully I'll continue going from strength to strength," said Van Niekerk.

"My body feels strong and I'm handling the rounds well. There's a holistic package I'm working on and hopefully it will all come together at the World Championships later this year."

Meanwhile, Geel broke the South African record in the women's hammer throw as she threw a distance of 65.18 metres, shattering the national mark of 64.31m which was set by Marga Cumming in February 2021.

Cumming, representing host province Athletics Central North West (ACNW) settled for the silver medal with a 60.60m heave and Tamlynn Leonard of Athletics Free State (AFS) took bronze with a best attempt of 58.98m.

"My coach said I must really try and break the record because we felt it was time for me to get my name on the board," Geel said. "So it's such a relief to get it because I've been working so hard and it all fell into place today."

Middle-distance runner Prudence Sekgodiso (AGN) and sprinter Miranda Coetzee of Athletics North West North (ANWN) secured double gold in their events.

Made to compete in both finals on the same day after some of the programme had been postponed on