Athletics
SA hope for better fortune
2011-09-02 11:08
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Daegu - The South African team will hope for a resurgent afternoon session after struggling in the morning heats at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea, on Friday.
The nation's two representatives in the men's 200m sprint were knocked out in the first round.
Lebogang Moeng was fifth in his heat in 21.09 and Thuso Mpuang was sixth in his heat in 21.07 as both failed to progress.
Tumelo Thagane did not register a legal distance and was eliminated in the qualifying round of the men's triple jump.
The national 4X400m relay team, having dropped Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius in favour of 400m hurdles bronze medallist LJ van Zyl, will go in search of a podium place in Friday afternoon's final.
The SA quartet set a new national record of 2:59.21 to qualify third fastest in the heats on Thursday.
African record holder Sunette Viljoen will compete in the women's javelin throw final, joining in the effort as SA look to climb the table.
Title holder Caster Semenya will hope to hold her form in the women's 800m semi-finals after cruising through the heats earlier in the week.
World junior champion Luvo Manyonga faces a strong field in the men's long jump final, where he will be eager to impress in the absence of countryman Khotso Mokoena.