Team work makes the dream work, says Zakithi Nene as Team SA receive warm welcome home after World Relays heroics
SA World Relays squad The South African World Relays squad received a warm welcome at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday evening. Photo: CECILIA VAN BERS
Image: CECILIA VAN BERS
Team South Africa received a warm welcome upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening following their heroics at the World Relays in China last weekend.
The South Africans produced stellar performances at the World Relays, setting the stage for a strong world championship campaign in Tokyo as they claimed three medals (two gold and a bronze) in their respective disciplines.
The relay squads not only earned medals in Guangzhou, China, but also sent a strong message about their ambitions for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
The 4x100m team of Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana and Akani Simbine triumphed in the final with an impressive time of 37.61 seconds, narrowly defeating the United States, who finished second in 37.66.
Dambile joined forces with the trio that won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, continuing their strong form and coming close to the South African record of 37.57 seconds they set at the Games last year.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
The 23-year-old Dambile was pleased to be back with the 4x100m team.
'Being back on the 4x100 pool was important to me,' Dambile told the media at the OR Tambo International Airport on their return on Wednesday.
'I knew that I had potential to be part of the team because I have been in the pool since 2019, but this time, I also knew I had a strong team and we could bring it home.
'I knew I was in great shape, and I had to run a great back stretch to put the team in a great position, and I did that in the heats and the final.'
The men's 4x400m team, comprised of Gardeo Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer and Zakithi Nene, had an impressive outing as well, and they secured a convincing victory with a time of 2:57.50, ahead of Belgium (2:58.19) and Botswana (2:58.27).
'I ran the anchor leg, but I feel like my teammates made my job so much easier for me. We had a nice blend of youth and experience,' Nene said about the gold medallists.
'We gave probably the two toughest legs to the youngest athletes Udeme and Leendert.
'It's not really a new story, but a team story, as team work makes the dream work.
'I am honestly chuffed with what we have achieved as a team, and I am looking forward to rubbing shoulders with them again leading up to Tokyo and LA 2028.'
The 4x400m women's team of Shirley Nekhubui, Miranda Coetzee, Precious Molepo and Zeney Geldenhuys earned a bronze medal with a time of 3:24.84 (SA record), and team captain Geldenhuys was pleased with what they achieved and their qualification for Tokyo.
'Our main goal was for the women to qualify,' she said.
'We were surprised that it was an SA record.
'And for the final we were excited that we had Miranda with fresh legs.
'The rest of us held back in the heats, and that brought us the bronze medal.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Marioné Fourie delivers powerful finish to take second in Hengelo
Marioné Fourie delivered a storming push at the death to finish second by one-hundredth of a second behind Dutch star Nadine Visser in the women's 100m hurdles at the FBK Games at Hengelo, the Netherlands. At the halfway point she was well back of Visser, fourth at the Paris Olympics last year, but the South African switched on the after-burners over the final three hurdles to rocket up the field. Fourie dipped on the line, her effort causing her to lose balance and she tumbled to the ground, but it wasn't enough to catch Visser, first in 12.59sec.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Best Kaizer Chiefs XI next season with Salum and Appollis
Kaizer Chiefs need to add marquee names in several positions to become Betway Premiership title contenders next season. So far, Feisal Salum is the most eye-catching player linked with a move to Naturena. Recently, Bafana wingers Oswin Appollis and Elias Mokwana are also back in the conversation. Chiefs shift focus to signing a key Orlando Pirates target Bvuma; Solomons, Msimango, Miguel, Dortley; Cele, Salum; Duba, Appollis, Lilepo; Mayele. Chiefs have reportedly ditched their interest in Bafana and Esperance winger Elias Mokwana. Instead, their eggs are all in the Oswin Appollis basket. 'If you were talking about Appollis, I could have agreed with you. It's also an open secret that Chiefs are interested in him. The negotiations are believed to also be at an advanced stage as there are a few logistics they are working on, but not Elias Mokwana,' an insider told Soccer Laduma. Although Kaizer Chiefs endured a mostly frustrating campaign, they did end their long trophy drought by lifting the Nedbank Cup. To make it sweeter, they beat Orlando Pirates to do so. Nasreddine Nabi's next challenge will be to turn this side into legitimate title contenders. After all, this is a man who won back-to-back trebles in Tanzania. His allure could prove strong enough to see Feisal Salum make a move from Azam FC. Click for the story Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi. Image: @KaizerChiefs/X Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Tyrell Stewart shows his strength
At just 17, Tyrell Stewart is showing his strength in the South African weightlifting scene. Read more: How to manage your gym change room time like a boss Representing Northcliff High School, he competed in the Gauteng Championships, walking away with the gold in the male U17 67kg category. He managed a combined total lift of 158kg, making up a solid 70kg and an 88kg clean and jerk, all while weighing in at 62kg. Describing the feeling as surreal, Tyrell moved up a weight class since last year, and after just one meet, he ranked third nationally in his division. Tyrell said that he picked up his first barbell at the age of 11, with the help of his coach Steve Kafang, in crafting his game plans. Also read: Build a home gym this winter for a hot summer body In the build-up to the competition, Tyrell gradually increased his weights without exerting his body. 'The week before, we dialled it down, that's what we call a 'deload', it helps me recover, and stay sharp. Honestly, though, it is the mental game that is tough; you cannot let it go to your head.' He said that weightlifting was not just about winning, but about what it taught him along the way. 'This sport has taught me that you get out what you put in. There's always going to be someone stronger.' Tyrell added that there was always room to improve to push oneself when lifting, whether at training or in a competition, and that was when he felt like himself. With the South African Youth and Junior Championships around the corner in July, he is setting his sights on an even bigger podium, expressing that he has 'real shot' at doing well, and just needs to stay focused. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Gym theft on the rise At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
