Late withdrawal hands Mlenga a comeback opportunity

SOUTH Africa will face a stern test of the depth of its sprinting talent on the opening weekend of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in the aftermath of the late withdrawal through injury of star sprinter Bayanda Walaza.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

Walaza had injured his hamstring in the men’s 100m at the Diamond League Final in Zurich, Switzerland on August 25, but was included in the 49-member team in the hope that he would make a late recovery.

Unfortunately, the teenager, a member of the Olympic silver and World Relays gold medal-winning 4x100m teams, failed a late Athletics SA medical evaluation, and was ruled out of the championships at the National Stadium in Tokyo from September 13-21.

“This decision was made in the best interest of the athlete and the integrity of the national team,” ASA said in a statement.

The athletics mother body also confirmed that Walaza’s place in the 100m will be taken by Retshidisitswe Mlenga, who was originally a reserve.