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THROWING NEWSViljoen spears record in South Africa Mark Ouma for the IAAF  Maranelle du Toit (left) and Sunette Viljoen (right ) of South Africa (Mark Ouma)
Nineteen year old Sunette Viljoen set an African record at the South Africa Student Sports Union (SASSU) Track and Field Athletics Championships staged at the Puk/McArthur Stadium in Potchefstroom, South Africa last weekend (6 Friday - 7 Saturday December 2002). The two-day event saw a new generation of talented athletes step out of the shadows, with SASSU using the event to select a provisional South Africa squad for the World Student Games next year. Urged on by a partisan crowd, Viljoen set an Africa women"s javelin record with a 58.33m effort in her fifth throw of the competition. Viljoen not only improved the SASSU championships (52.04), and South Africa (55.83) records, but also shattered the previous Africa mark of 56.20m that was held by Aida Sallem of Tunisia. Viljoens previous best was 54.55m. Although she did not achieve her target of 60m, the Sports Management and Recreation student was nonetheless delighted. "My aim was to surpass the 60 metres mark. I am grateful to God for what I have achieved. It was a great feeling to achieve an Africa record in the presence of my parents who drove from Rustenburg (over 200km away)." While Viljoen also bats for the South African women"s cricket team, she says her first priority is to excel in javelin. This was a significant factor in her decision to enrol at Potchefstroom University. The institution is a world-famous stable for elite javelin throwers. Viljoen trains under the watchful eyes of Tersis Liebenburg, mentor of the 1997 World Javelin Champion Marius Corbett. "Sunette is enthusiastic about her training and in a couple of years, I believe she will be a force to reckon with internationally. We will avoid rushing her to the apex of world javelin. It takes years to mature into a world class athlete," said Liebenburg. The meeting produced six more championships records most of which where in the women's events. Marizca Gertenbach amassed 5090 points for a career best in the Heptathlon. Marlene Breytenbach clocked 2:04.55 in 800m. Esti Wittstock improved the championship 400m record to 52.96 seconds before also winning the 200m in 23.56. A bronze medallist at the 1999 All Africa Games, Maranelle du Toit heaved the shot put to a distance of 17.30m. She later was also runner up in the Discus (49.48m). "My goal is to surpass 17.50m by the end of our domestic season. That way I will be on track for the 18 metres mark and a possible medal at the World Student Games." Frikke van Zyl won the men's 110m hurdles in a championship record of 13.72. While Johan Pretorius was timed 3:45.18 in the 1500m and later also won the 800m in 1:49.17. Newcomer Innes Viviers improved his 400m career best by 0.31 seconds to 45.88, with the 1999 World Student s bronze medallist, Jopie van Oudshoorn runner up in 46.12. Although placed third in the men's 20km race walk, Marc Mundell set a South Africa Junior record of 1:41:20 in his first attempt at the distance. Returning to competition after an absence through injury, former Africa Championships silver medallist John Sullivan won the men's shot put with 18.13m At the end of the contest SASSU selected a provisional squad of 28 men and 10 women for the next World Student Games in Daegu, South Korea. "We will finalise the team next year. Athletes who improve their performances during our domestic season could earn a place on the teams," said Mariana Meyer, the Convenor of Selectors. If you have news, results or information that you would like to share, please let us know by using our submissions form or contact Larry Steinke. [ MEET INFORMATION ] [ ANALYSIS & TIPS ] [ THROWS ARTICLES ] [ INTERVIEWS ] [ RECORDS ] [ RESULTS ] [ CLASSIFIEDS ] [ HOT LINK ARCHIVE ] [ DISCUSSION FORUM ] [ SUBMISSIONS ] [ THROWERS QUIZ ] [ GUESTBOOK ] |
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