Van Deventer just misses Olympic qualifier

Juan van Deventer missed the Olympic qualifying A-Standard in the men’s 1 500m by 2/100th at the Josef Odlozil Memorial in Prague, Czech Republic, on Monday night. Van Deventer needed 3:35.50 or faster in order to reach his first qualifying mark, but finished third in 3:35.52, his best time this season.

Teshome Dirirsa (ETH) won the race crossing the line in 3:34.55, his best performance ever in the event. Kenya’s Benson Seurei finished second in 3:35.28. Another South African, Johan Cronje, looking for his second qualifier clocked 3:35.65, finishing fourth.

Lehann Fourie is edging closer to the 13.52sec Olympic qualifying mark in the men’s 110m hurdles. The 25-year-old recorded his best performance of the season when he finished fifth, clocking 13.59sec just behind Fred Townsend (USA). Tyron Akins (USA), Blazs Baji (HUN) and Artur Noga (POL) took the first three positions in 13.41sec, 13.51sec and 13.52sec respectively.

SA 100m champion Simon Magakwe seems to be getting back on form after clocking 10.22sec last night, winning the men’s race comfortably. Magakwe needs to dip under of equal the 10.18sec A-standard once more internationally in order to officially qualify for the London Games. Nigerian Peter Emelieze came second in 10.34sec followed by Tyrone Edgar (GBR) in 10.37sec.

Tsholofelo Thipe clocked 23.60sec in the women’s 200m in Prague last night crossing the line third behind Great Britain’s Joice Maduaka (23.56sec). The race was won by Anyika Onuora (GBR) in 23.21. Wenda Theron finished fourth in the women’s 400m hurdles after clocking 56.36sec. Zuzana Hejnova (CZE) won the race in a new meet record time of 54.43sec.

Ofentse Mogawane competed in the IAAF Moscow Challenge in Russia on Monday where he finished fourth in his race in the men’s 400m. Mogawane crossed the line in 46.85sec with the race won by Vladimir Krasnov in 45.68sec.

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