ZENNA MULLER
The first Inter-Club Athletics Championships were held at Absa Tuks Stadium on 5 April, where Tuks claimed the title of Athletics South Africa National Club Champions.
Danie Cornelius, manager of TuksAthletics Club, told Perdeby, “The first win is always a special one.” The best athletes were chosen to represent their club according to their performances in each event. Eight clubs took part in this event, namely the universities of Pretoria, Johannesburg, the North West, the Free State, Stellenbosch, Bellville, Tygerberg-Northlink and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
The championships focused on 100m, 400m, 800m, 3000m, 100m/110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, shot put, javelin throw, long jump and high jump. Scores were awarded according to a points system and the overall winner was announced by the end of the evening.
LJ van Zyl and Wenda Theron both came in first place in the 400m hurdles. Anuscha Nice (800m) and Claudia Viljoen (100m hurdles) also came first in their respective events. In high jump, Hubert de Beer came second with 2.10m. Anzell van der Schyff placed second in javelin.
Oscar Pistorius and Caster Semenya were also due to take part in this event but withdrew due to preparations for the Olympics.
Tuks won with a total of 133.5 points, ahead of Pukke on 115. Prize money for first place was R100 000.
In 2011, TuksAthletics was the only club in the world to win medals in all international events. Three Tuks athletes were also part of the team that won the silver medal in the 4x400m relay for men at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu.
Photo: Kieth Pyper
