Following a brilliant outing at the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, South Africa are aiming for more honours in the forth coming African Senior Athletics Championships in Asaba.
South Africa have unveiled an ambitious 127-member national preparation squad for the Championship scheduled for August 1-5.
The squad features several athletes that won medals at the Commonwealth Games including sprinters Akani Simbine and Henricho Bruintjies, Long Jump stars Luvo Manyonga and Ruswahl Samaai.
Also, middle-distance star Caster Semenya, hurdler Wenda Nel and Javelin thrower Sunette Viljoen are all on the roster.
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The biennial continental championships will be another opportunity for South Africa to defend its continental crown won in 2016 in Durban with a total of 33 medals, 16 of them in gold. Kenya followed in the second position with 24 total, with eight in gold.
This year’s host, Nigeria ended with four gold medals from a total of 16.
South Africa will utilise as another stepping stone to provide athletes with crucial experience in the build-up to next year’s IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Aside from Nigeria who have entered 72male, 69 female and 29 officials, the likes of Kenya, Algeria, and Senegal are also planning a large contingent for the Athletics Championships in Asaba.
Kenya have provisionally entered Kenya 34 male and 27 female athletes as well as 11 officials. Algeria on their part have 31 male and 29 female athletes on their roster with 17 0fficials while Senegal have entered 30 male and 30 female athletes as well as 9 officials.
