Star sprinter Akani Simbine reached the final of the men’s 100m when he won his semi-final in an impressive 9.87sec, He then went even faster for a lifetime best 9.82 but had to settle for fourth, for the second successive Games.
He had reached the final as the fifth fastest qualifier after winning his semi-final in an impressive 9.87sec, having come off a 9.86 in London recently. During the week the South African had said he felt it would take a sub-9.80 would be needed to win gold.
Prudence Sekgodiso also showed her best form when she finished second in her semi-final in 1:57.57 to qualify for the final.
In golf, Christiaan Bezuidenhout finished on 10-under-par for the week after carding a closing round of 69 for a 274 total. Erik van Rooyen finished on nine-under 275 after a closing 70. World No 1 Scottie Scheffler won gold by one shot from Great Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood.
Team SA long jumper Jovan van Vuuren competed in the men’s qualification round at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday against the backdrop of despicable threats dished out to himself and members of his family that were sent via WhatsApp.
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) is aware of the threats and has offered unconditional support to the athlete. He is also receiving professional counselling from Team SA’s psychologists. In addition the matter has been handed to the relevant authorities, including the police, for investigation.
Van Vuuren produced a best leap of 7.70m, which placed him 23rd overall.
Team SA started the day with four medals with Tatjana Smith (gold and silver) and the men’s sevens rugby and Alan Hatherly (bronze) putting them at 24th place on the overall table. For now, the United States and China have 19 golds lead France (12) and Australia (12) in the standings.
ATHLETICS
Women’s 800m, semi-finals: Prudence Sekgodiso finished second in her semi-final in 1:57.57 to qualify for the final
Men’s 100m, semi-finals: Shaun Maswanganyi finished fifth in his race in a season’s best 10.02 but didn’t progress to the final
Men’s 100m, semi-finals: Akani Simbine won his heat in 9.87 and progressed to the final
Men’s 100m, semi-finals: Benjamin Richardson finished third in his semi-final in 9.95, just missing out on a place in the final
Men’s 100m, final: Akani Simbine finished fourth in 9.82sec
Men’s 400m, round 1 heats: Lythe Pillay finished sixth in his heat in 45.60 and progressed to the repechage stage
Men’s 400m, round 1 heats: Zakhiti Nene finished fourth in 45.01 and progressed to the repechage stage
Men’s long jump qualification, Group A: Jovan van Vuuren produced a best leap of 7.70m which left him in 23rd spot overall and missing out on the top 12 for the final
Men’s long jump qualification, Group B: Cheswill Johnson produced a best leap of 4.49m which left him in 31st spot overall and missing out on the top 12 for the final
Women’s 400m Hurdles, first round, heats: Rogail Joseph produced a personal best 54.56sec to finish second in her heat and automatically qualify for the semi-finals
Women’s 400m Hurdles, first round, heats: Zeney Geldenhuys finished 3rd in her heat to qualify automatically for the semi-finals
CYCLING
Women’s road race: Ashleigh Moolman Pasio finished 33rd in 4:04.23, exactly five minutes behind gold medallist Kristen Faulkner of the USA. Tiffany Keep registered a DNF
GOLF
Men’s Individual, fourth round
274 (16th) Christiaan Bezuidenhout 70 71 64 69
275 (17th) Erik van Rooyen 67 69 69 70
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