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Cape Town - Team South Africa on Wednesday began its first day in sweltering heat after a successful flight to Doha, Qatar.
The team is bracing for the biennial IAAF World Championships which will be held at Khalifa International Stadium Friday, September 26 until Sunday, October 6.
In the absence of defending champions Caster Semenya (800m) and Wayde van Niekerk (400m), the 31-member team is led by world champion Luvo Manyonga, who is defending his world title in the men's long jump.
Amongst others, the SA contingent will be looking up to African long jump champion Ruswahl Samaai, Olympic javelin throw medallist Sunette Viljoen, World Championships 100m finalist Akani Simbine and former World Championships 200m medallist Anaso Jobodwana, to retain their top three medals finish of 2017.
The squad also features World junior champion, Zeney van der Walt, who will compete in the women's 400m hurdles event as one of the team’s most exciting global young prospects.
Aleck Skhosana, the president of Athletics South Africa, commented via press statement: “We have sent a team to complete with the best in the world. Their mandate is to continue where we left off in the last championship two years ago.
“We look forward to a great, clean competition for each athlete. This is the world stage all of them have been working towards and now it’s down to individuals to shine, spring surprises or live up to expectations.
“It’s therefore up to each of them to trigger the singing of the national anthem during this championship and carve their path to individual glory. Our athletes must target a place on the podium.”
- Athletics SA
