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SA youth shine in Colombia

Colombia - The penultimate day of the IAAF World Youth Championships in Colombia proved to be a super Saturday for South Africa which included a gold medal in the boys' discus throw.

After a mishmash of results earlier in the week it all came together when Werner Visser claimed the discus throw title.

South Africa's fortunes made a further turn for the better with five athletes advancing to Sunday's finals in their respective events.

After a host of mishaps in the sprinting department, the team finally found the breakthrough in the 200m with three athletes advancing into the ultimate round.

Kyle Appel, who false started in Wednesday's 100m semi-final, shrugged off the disappointment, winning his race in a time of 20.79.

"That was a bit faster, I felt strong and I can't wait for final," a delighted Appel said.

"I didn't go out too fast again because the final is so much bigger and I have to save my energy."

Tlotliso Leotlela qualified for the final as a fastest loser, finishing his race in third place clocking 21.13.

Nicola du Bruyn secured her place in the girls' 200m winning her race in a time of 23.54.

"That is what it is supposed to look like and it is great to make it through to the finals," said Du Bruyn, who got knocked out in the 100m semi-finals earlier this week.

"My goal was to make it into the final, so let's see if I can get a medal."

Also featuring in a 200m semi-final was Madia Ehlers, who got knocked out after finishing fourth in her race with a time of 24.23.

South African 400m hurdler Morne van As had a nasty tumble over the ninth hurdle in the final.

It took some time for Van As to get back up, jump over the final barrier and finish the race.

In the boys' 800m final Theuns Ehlers started out strong but fell slightly back in the final lap.

He finished the race in fifth place in a personal best time of 1:49.32.

In the morning javelin throw duo Hercules van Vuuren and Paul Botha qualified for Sunday's final by posting personal best distances.

Only a personal best throw would ensure automatic qualification for Van Vuuren, whose previous best was 72.70m while the standard was set at 73m.

Van Vuuren produced the throw of the day with the javelin landing at a distance of 79.04m.

This effort was more than six metres further than his previous best.

In the first qualifying round Rustenburg athlete Botha's two throws went over 70m.

His second attempt of 74.60m was two metres further than his previous best.

The South African mixed relay team also qualified for Sunday's final with a time of  3:26.90.

Ockert attended the IAAF World Youth Championships courtesy of the IAAF. His accommodation was paid for by the Colombian athletics federation.

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