WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCES EXPECTED AT THE 38th SOUTH AFRICAN MASTERS TRACK & FIELD AND RACEWALKING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Approximately 400 athletes from the 11 athletic provinces of South Africa will converge on Rustenburg in the Northwest North Province on 25 & 26 April 2014 at the world class stadium, Royal Bafokeng Stadium.  Miracle Magnesium, the new sponsors of the championships, and the local organising committee of Northwest North Athletics, hope to host one of the best national championships.  We welcome Shaaron Sellars (javelin) from the USA, Raj Rathedi (800m) from Botswana and Richard John (decathlon) from Zimbabwe and any other visitors to our champs!

Its pleasing to see the number of  'young' masters in the 30-40 age groups that have been turning out at masters championships, while past-Olympian Adri Schoeman will surely set the scene for some excellent times in the ladies sprints. 
Shaun Bownes who took the title of the Mens 40 - 60m hurdles at the recent World Indoors in Budapest will be looking at bettering the S.A. record in the M.40 - 110m hurdles once again.


Many of the athletes who will be participating were part of  Team South Africa's huge success at the World Masters Championships in Brazil last October when they brought home a total of 81 medals. 

Cross Country and Road runners are supporting masters in the middle and long distance track events.


The track is known for its fast times, and athletes will be out to achieve season's best, personal bests and South African records.

 The more 'seasoned' and 'mature' athletes will also be out in full force
 

Our walkers have always done us proud at the Worlds and will be competing in the 5000m track walk, and the gruelling 10k & 20km roadwalks.




Some of the names to look out for are, most of whom won titles, medals and/or hold national records :

W.30      Yolande van Aswegen - sprints and long jump
M.30      Gavin da Silva - middle distances
M.35      Carel van Wyk - sprints
W.40      Adri Schoeman, Carmen Meyer - sprints & long jump, Ronel Thomas - middle distances
M.40      Shaun Bownes - hurdles, Johan Mans - high jump, Martin Venter - throws, Johan “Ou Grote”
               Labuschagne - decathlon
W.45      Salome Vermeulen - middle distances
W.50.     Lesley van Buuren,  Frances Kitchenbrand (racewalk),  Connie v.d. Westhuizen - steeplechase,  
M.50      Thomas Endrody - sprints   Gawie Louw (javelin)
W.55      Frances van Blerk (middle distances)
M.55      Peter Wattrus SP, Stephen Kitchenbrand  - field events
W.65      Elsa Meyer (racewalk), Liz Ruickbie (10 000m), Mercia Ferreira (throws)
W.70      Magdalena Tomlinson  (hurdles)
M.75      Hans Miekautsch (high jump) , Andrej Rzpecki (throws)
W.80      Christie du Plooy (sprints)
W.85      Mavis Hutchison   (sprints)
M.85      Borg Stannius  (field events)
M.90      Lucas Nel   (sprints + 800)

However,  the performances of newcomers to masters must not be underestimated, and there may be a few new faces on the horizon, especially in the light of the next World Championships which will take place next August in Lyon, France.

Opening Ceremony:  Friday, 25 April 2014 (12h15 – 13h15)

All athletes are requested to attend the opening ceremony, dressed in their golf shirt which they have received at registration. This is a kind gesture towards our sponsor, and all athletes are requested to please co-operate in this regard. The Queen Mother of the Royal Bafokeng Nation will be one of our VIP guests. Due to her presence, security at the stadium will be strict. Athletes are requested to please obey the security officers that will be present around the stadium.

Two representatives from each province will parade their banner/flag. Representatives must report to the start of the 100 metres at 12h15 where they will form up behind the SAMA banner. Once the parade is in position in front of the main stadium, the National Anthem will be played, followed by a minute silence and a few short speeches. The ceremony will not exceed 50 minutes

Please show your support for masters athletics by turning up at the championships this weekend, entrance is free.




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