Walaza rebounds from injury to be selected for World Championships

YOUNG sprint star Bayanda Walza was a surprise inclusion in the 49-member SA team for the World Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo, Japan, between September 13 and 21, after he had pulled up injured during the 100m at the Diamond League Final in Zurich last week.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

The winner of the sprint double at the recent World University Games will only take part in one individual event, the men’s 100m, in Tokyo, despite also qualifying for the 200m. He will also not be part of the men’s 4X100m relay team.

Athletics South Africa announced the team of 32 men and 17 women for the world champs on Tuesday. It features eight national record holders, including Akani Simbine (100m), Tshepo Tshite (1500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10000m), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), Elroy Gelant (marathon), Marione Fourie (100m hurdles), Ashley Erasmus (shot put) and Jessica Groenewald (35km race walk).

Wayde van Niekerk, the 400m world record holder and the only former world outdoor champion in the team will focus on the 200m event.

Although she hasn’t won a world outdoor title, world indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso is also in the squad, having been a regular feature on the Diamond League circuit this season.

Aside from Van Niekerk, a former Olympic 400m champion, javelin thrower Jo-Ane du Plessis is the only other member of the team to have earned a medal in an individual event at the Olympic Games.