NAIROBI – South Africa completed a clean sweep in the boy’s sprints to top the medals table for the first time at the IAAF World Under-18 athletics championships in Nairobi on Sunday.
South Africa, fifth in 1999 and 2005, amassed 11 medals – five gold, three silver and three bronze – over the five-day championships.
They started the final day with a 1-2 in the boys 200m, won by Retshidisitswe Mlenga in a season’s best time of 21.03.
The 17-year-old Mlenga, who already held the best time at altitude of 21.14, held off compatriot Tshenolo Lemao in a reverse result to the 100m.
“I came in very focused, having made a mistake in the 100m finals, that happens to be my favourite race,” said Mlenga.
“I listened to my coaches’ instructions this time, and I am happy to have won the gold medal.”
Lemao, who won South Africa’s first ever gold in the 100m, took silver in a personal best 21.12, while Germany’s Luis Brandner (21.23) was third.
Hear from the world U18 200m champion, Retshidisitswe Mlenga of South Africa #wu18nairobi2017 pic.twitter.com/cLGX6P0PrG
— IAAF (@iaaforg) July 16, 2017
China finished second in the medals table on five gold, two silver and four bronze, with Cuba in third on eight medals – five gold, two silver and a bronze.
Hosts Kenya finished a disappointing fourth, but with the highest number of medals with 15 – their lowest position in the biennial championships.
A capacity crowd of over 60 000 spectators had turned out at the Kasarani stadium to cheer the Kenyan runners as they won the boys 2 000m steeplechase and girls 800m races, but poor team tactics put paid to the hosts’ hopes of a third world title when they lost the decisive boys’ 3 000m to arch-rivals Ethiopia.
Ethiopia’s world Under-20 champion in the 5 000m, Selemon Barega, beat two Kenyans to add the 3 000m title to his collection.