Mayova wins in Stellenbosch

GLOBINE Mayova on Tuesday night showed her class by beating a strong field that included current South African Champion Carina Horn at a packed Coetzenburg Stadium as she won the 100m in 1188 seconds.

The speedster from Grootfontein had to fight hard in a closely contested race to beat competition from former South African Champion Cindy Stewart as well as Samantha Pretorius, who had better starts. Horn ended second in 11,91, Pretorius third (12,01) and Stewart finished fourth (12,02).Unfortunately Mayova’s compatriot Merilyn Diamond ended in eighth in 12,45 as she made her first appearance ever in the Yellow Pages. Earlier in the evening Mayova had finished second in the heats behind Horn with Diamond back in fourth. Mayova said: ‘I am very happy with the win and especially because of the field that included South Africa’s top women sprinters. I am still just taking everything in my stride as I have improved very much since the All Africa Games, becoming Namibia’s National Champion over the 100m and 200m, World Indoors where I ran a new national record and now Yellow Pages. I will just keep on working hard, be disciplined and motived to reach my dreams.’ In the 400m, two time All Africa Games bronze medallist Tjipekapora Herunga is slowly getting back to her best as she ran her third fasted time ever over 400m, posting 52,42 seconds. Despite her competitive time she had to be satisfied with second place as Rorisang Rammonye in 51,98 claimed first place. The two athletes took control of the race from the start as they dominated the race from start to finish, after the first 200m it was clearly just a two horse race with Rammonye entering the home straight three feet ahead of Herunga. A lead she maintained till the end despite a last push from Herunga.However Herunga was very happy with her race as the result brought her closer to the B qualifying standard (52,30) time for the Olympics.’I feel that my preparations are on track and I felt really good during the race, for me the most important thing is to peak at the right time for the Olympics. Last year I was in the best shape of my life during the All Africa Games that’s why I managed to bring home two medals, therefore this year I want to improve on that at the African Champs in Benin and Olympics in London,’ Herunga said.Johannes Skrywer narrowly fell short of Reinholdt Iita’s 1500m national record of 3:45,35 as he ran 3:46,07. Skrywer ran a powerful race with the leading pack that included Peter Van der Westhuizen, who won in 3:38,61. Daniel Nghipandulwa ended third 1:49,68 in a closely contested 800m. The first three athletes entered the home straight together in a race won by Rynardt Van Rensberg 1:48.70. In the womens 1500m Lavinia Haitope ended sixth in 4:29,20 with young Nangula Ekandjo ninth with a Personal Best of 4:39,32. Namibia’s top 400m male athlete Basilius Karupu managed sixth position with a time of 47,74 – his best result this season. Hitjivirue Kaanjuka ended a disappointing seventh in the 100m, clocking 10,68 seconds. The Namibian contingent in Stellenbosch consisted of athletes from the VISION 2016, Athletics Namibian and the Herman Damien Fund. Their next stop is the Yellow Page 2 meet in Potchefstroom tomorrow.