JOHANNESBURG – South African 100m hurdles champion Rikenette Steenkamp had a good start to her international campaign on Thursday night when she sprinted to victory at the Herrouville Saint-Clair Meeting in France.
The Tuks athlete was very consistent, winning both her heat and final in a time of 13.13 seconds.
The windy conditions made things difficult for the athletes. Karolina Koleczek (Poland) was second in 13.28 and Britain’s Yasmin Miller third in 13.44.
Three SA sprinters competed in the 100m and were left trailing in the wake of Hassan Taftian of Iran, who won the 100m in 10.25.
Anaso Jobodwana was second in 10.28, Thando Roto third in 10.29 and Emile Erasmus fourth in 10.37.
It was not a good night for Roto, who stumbled getting out of the blocks and then had to work hard to catch up.
“I expected to run better. Unfortunately I made some mistakes in the heats and the final. That cost me big time, but I guess it is all part of a learning curve so onwards and upwards. Hopefully I will execute my race better the next time I compete,” said a disappointed Roto afterwards.
Jobodwana raced to victory in his 200m race, clocking 20.94. Youngster Clarence Munyai finished second in the same race in a time of 20.98.
Meanwhile, Cornel Fredericks was second in the 400m hurdles in Huelva, Spain in a time of 49.93.