“I know I am capable of running faster times I just need to stay focussed while racing.”

That was Tebogo Mamathu (TuksAthletics) comment after she won the women’s 100m last night at the Liquid Telecom Athletics Grand Prix Meeting in Ruimsig. Her winning time of 11.47s is 0.01s faster than the time she ran the past weekend at the Gauteng North Championships. 

“At least I am consistent. I guess that is one positive I can take from my race. My problem is that during training sessions I can execute my technique to perfection. But when I race I tend to tense up somewhat, that leads to me making small mistakes that cost me valuable hundredth of seconds. It is something I need to rectify. I know when I managed to run the perfect race I will clock faster times.”

Over the past three seasons, Mamathu has been consistently improving her time over 100 metres. In 2015 she ran 11.88s, in 2016 her best time was 11.40s and last year she ran 11.34s. Only Carina Horn running 11.10s was faster in 2017. At the South African Championships in Potchefstroom, she won a silver medal.

When she talks about her lack of niggles Mamathu can’t help smiling broadly.

“It makes a difference being 100% fit. In the past, it was a case of just when I felt like am getting into to shape I got injured. Mostly it was hamstring injuries that set me back. That is a big handicap because it means after you had recovered you got to start the process of regaining your fitness and speed all over.”

Although he did not win last night, LJ van Zyl (Tuks) had just reason to smile. His time of 49.64s in the 400m-hurdles is his best for the season so far. He started his season's campaign by running 51.61s.

Britain’s David Greene who is Van Zyl’s old nemesis won running 49.38s. At the 2011 World Championships in Daegu Greene won the gold medal and Van Zyl the bronze. 

Le Roux Hamman (Tuks) was third last night in a time of 49.66s.

What excited Van Zyl about his race was the way he kept on fighting right to the end. 

“I think I am starting to find my form. The important thing for me is to ensure I keep on racing in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games.”

Van Zyl was also thrilled with the fact that his Commonwealth Games teammate, Constant Pretorius, also dipped under 50 seconds. The Tuks-athlete was fourth running 49.72s.

The South African champion, Le Roux Hamman, was satisfied with the way his race played out.

“I am still making mistakes which cost me, but I can feel that I am improving with each race,” said Le Roux who last week won at Gauteng North Championships running 49.76s.”

The South African 400m-hurdles champion, Wenda Nel (Tuks), finished fourth in the 400 metres running a time of 52.60s. Her best time is 52.03s. The former world champion, Amantle Montsho (Botswana), won the 400m in a time of 50.66s.