Alkana climbs another hurdle

Cape Town - South African 110m hurdles champion Antonio Alkana continued his good form at the IAAF World Challenge in Dakar on Wednesday as he emerged victorious from a strong field.

Bellville Athletics Club star Alkana produced a time of 13.40 to beat Greek star Konstadinos Kouvalidis into second in 13.52, with Brazil’s Joao de Oliveira third in 13.90.

Alkana ran a personal best time of 13.28 in coming third in the Diamond League event in Rabat on Sunday, which was just 0.04 of a second off Lehann Fourie’s SA record of 13.24. So it should be just a matter of time before the 26-year-old sets a new national mark.

There was an upset in the men’s 400m hurdles, where the duel was between two South Africans in Lindsay Hanekom and Le Roux Hamman. Hanekom was the favourite as he came into the meet off a personal best of 49.03 that he ran recently at the SA Open Championships in Bloemfontein, but on Wednesday, Hamman turned the tables.

After home favourite Amadou Ndiaye led for most of the first 300m, Hanekom swept past him on the home straight and looked like he would go all the way. But Hamman kicked right at the end to power ahead in the last few metres to win in 50.06, with Hanekom second in 50.13.

Shot putter Orazio Cremona had another strong outing, but couldn’t break through the 20-metre mark as Congo (Brazzaville) powerhouse Franck Elemba crashed through the 21m barrier to end just 1cm short of his personal best, winning in 21.01m. Cremona’s best throw was 19.96m, which saw him come up to third position.

There was great disappointment for Dumisane Hlaselo in the men’s 1 500m, as he has been chasing the Olympic qualifying time of 3:36.20 all season long. He was hopeful that a bunch of Kenyans would ensure for a quick race in Dakar, but it was not to be as the pace-makers made a mess of the speed required.

In any case, Hlaselo was outlasted by Djibouti’s Abdi Waiss, who won in 3:36.87, with Hlaselo coming fourth in 3:40.58. A second South African in Jerry Motsau finished seventh in 3:54.17.

SA sprint queen Alyssa Conley, who ran in the 200m in Hengelo at the weekend, attempted the 100m in Dakar, but lost out to American Alexandria Anderson, who win in 11.26. Conley, who prefers the 200m at this stage of her career, finished second in 11.42.

The two remaining South African athletes in Dakar weren’t close to their best, with long jumper Dylan Cotter producing a 7.60m to end seventh, while women’s 400m runner Tsholofelo Thipe came fifth in 53.10.

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Selected Results

Men’s 110m Hurdles

1 Antonio Alkana (RSA) 13.40

2 Konstadinos Kouvalidis (Greece) 13.52

3 Joao de Oliveira (Brazil) 13.90

Men’s 400m Hurdles

1 Le Roux Hamman (RSA) 50.06

2 Lindsay Hanekom (RSA) 50.13

3 Amadou Ndiaye (Senegal) 50.42

Men’s 1 500m