Athletics
Olivier shines in Shanghai
2012-05-20 10:58
Andre Olivier (Gallo Images)
|
Shanghai - Middle-distance prospect Andre Olivier shone in an otherwise disappointing showing by South Africans at the second Diamond League meeting of the season in Shanghai, China, on Saturday.
Leading into the home stretch in the men's 800m race, Olivier was cut down shortly before the finish, but held on for third place in 1:46.74 in wet conditions.
Olivier was beaten by unheralded Kenyans Leonard Kosencha and Timothy Kitum, who took first and second respectively.
The 22-year-old, however, easily defeated former world champion Alfred Yego, who was sixth, and Olympic 1 500m gold medallist Asbel Kiprop, who ended seventh.
LJ van Zyl trailed home in fifth place in a pedestrian time of 50.38 seconds in the men's 400m hurdles.
Former World Championships finalist Robert Oosthuizen continued to struggle in his comeback from injury, taking seventh place in the men's javelin throw with a best effort of 75.48m.