Viljoen to defend title in Benin
With an SA women’s javelin throw record, Africa record and world leading performance behind her name Sunette Viljoen will be looking for her third successive title at the Africa Senior Championships this year taking place in Porto Novo, Benin, from 27 July to 1 July.
After struggling with a minor back injury, the 29-year-old won the SA Championships in Port Elizabeth with an Olympic Qualifying throw of 61.15m on 13 April. She recently improved her personal best in the women’s javelin throw at the Diamond League in Rome with a massive 69.35m attempt, improving her previous SA and Africa record of 68.38m in the process.
The World Championships bronze medallist is edging closer to the 70m mark and the Africa Championships will be good preparation ahead of the Games. She will be looking to win the title for the third time. It was only in 2006 where she finished second against compatriot Justine Robbeson. Viljoen also won the title in 2004 in Brazzaville, Congo.
“I have two goals for the Africa Championships. A good solid performance and the title,” said Viljoen who won the title in 2010 with a 63.33m attempt.
Viljoen’s greatest competition will possibly come from the Africa Heptathlon Champion Margaret Simpson from Ghana, with a best this season of only 55.90m. She is currently the best after Viljoen with Gerlize de Klerk coming in third. De Klerk’s best is 55.37m set up at Yellow Pages III in Pretoria on 20 April and she will also be competing.
