'At first I thought Bayanda had won it' - Leotlela announces return with 100m SA crown

With multiple national Champion and Olympic silver medalist Simbine missing as he has a Diamond League meeting in China to compete in, the country looked to crown a new sprint king on Day One of the South African Senior Track & Filed Championship in Potchefstroom yesterday (24 April). Gift Leotlela got the crowd buzzing after snatching the much anticipated 100m race, clocking an impressive 9:99 to seal a close victory over Bayanda Walaza who ran 10:00 flat. Benjamin Richardson took the bronze medal in a good 10:05 time. Leotlela became the third South African to dip under 10 seconds this year after Simbine and Walaza.  The 26-year-old Olympian who trains under coach Thabo Matebedi spoke to #TheTopRunner moments after the thrilling victory against his training parter Walaza.

"I had no idea (if I was the winner). At first I thought Bayanda had won it. At the moment, I don't know how I'm feeling. I'm feeling a lot of emotions and I haven't processed everything. I came here to win and this is exactly what I did. I'm just happy to win and everything else is a big bonus for me," said an elated Leotlela.

Leotlela in action during the semi-finals where he clocked a wind assisted 9.95. Photo Credit: Cecilia van Bers.

Meanwhile in the women's 100m, Joviale Mbisha reigned supreme clocking 11:48 to win a first senior national title. The Central Gauteng Athletics top runner managed to beat the Athletics Free State duo of Gabriella Marais while Rumé Burger.

In the 5 000m, Glenrose Xaba produced another dominant performance to successfully defend her 5 000m title in a time of 15:27:95 - missing her personal best time by just over seven seconds. SuperCharger who trains under coach Caster and Vilotet Semenya, was followed home by training partner Karabo More followed in 16:10:40 as 21-year-old Zanthe Taljaard claimed the bronze medal - the only medal for Athletics Vaal Triangle on the day.

Xaba won a fifteenth SA title on the track and road when she won the 5000m as Athletics Gauteng North dominated Day 1 of the ASA Senior Track and Field Championships. Photo Credit: Supplied.

30-year-old Xaba did added the national 5 000m title to the 10 000m title she claimed a fortnight ago. Yet despite a remarkable run, Xaba failed to dip under the stringent 14:52 time in order to book the elusive ticket to the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.  Nevertheless, South Africa's fastest 10km athlete of all time remains confident that she can still qualify.

"I'm very happy that I was able to defend my title even though I'm little disappointed with the time. It's still a good time considering it's come inland at altitude. I'm still positive I'm going to qualify for the World Championships as I'm planning to compete during the European track season soon, " she said.

The big surprise of the day came with Aiden Smith, making a resounding debut at the senior level, throwing a massive heave of 20:31 to edge out Olympian and pre-event favourite Kyle Blignaut who managed 20:07 for the silver medal. The 20-year-old Smith made it four SA titles  having already grabbed three junior titles in his career.