The EPA Championships, which form part of the NMB Legacy Project sponsored by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, attracted an impressive 330 athletes, aged between 12 to 73, participating in 535 events.

“Due to ongoing protests at the University, we had to move our flagship competition from the NMU Madibaz stadium last Thursday to the Westbourne Oval, and change our program to a one day championship on Saturday, 2 March, reported EP Athletics Track & Field Chairperson, Riaan Barnard.

“We did not have an electronic timing system or wind meters, but our local organizing committee rose to the occasion and delivered the best Championship seen in a number of years.

“I want to especially thank our Technical Officials under the leadership of Esteleen Hawkins and Melana Gerber who went beyond the call of duty working a 12 hour shift, to ensure accurate results.

“Our supporters were also amazing, showing their appreciation of every competition.
“It is clear that our local athletes, despite the venue change, gave their best and showed us all that they are ready to represent EPA at the ASA Championships which start later this month, added Barnard.

 The EPA Championships started with 20 men competing in the 5000m men’s and Thabang Mosiako, running for Nedbank running club, finishing in a brilliant time of 13min 48seconds (hand time).

With the Masters supporting the EPA Championships even the President of EPA, Sticks Stiglingh, was competing.

Other highlight performances were in the Long jump competition with Nikithemba Hani (Varsity College) Senior reaching 7.68m, and the Tripple jump competition, with Kayden Thoresson (Framesby High School) u/16 who reached 13.49m and Mia Vermaak (ACT Club) U/18  who reached 10.75m.

With the typical PE wind at play the athletes enjoyed some excellent results in the 100m for seniors with Sherwin van Staden (Madibaz)finishing in 10.1s, closely followed by Mondray Barnard (Heat Club) in 10.2s and Marko Ferreira (Daniel Pienaar high school) U/18 in 10.13s.  Chelsea Street (Heat Club) u/18 finished the 100m in 11.86s to outrun her competition, and Kenan Adams (Heat club) u/20 finished in 10.51s proving that they are ready for SA Champs.

The highlight of the Hammer throw competition was when Elme Botha (Madibaz) broke her own previous EPA record for the senior women from 52.8m to 58.8m.

The Hurdlers had to struggle with the wind blowing the hurdles over but still kept a positive attitude and preformed way better than expected. Outstanding performances were achieved by Tiaan Vosloo (Daniel Pienaar) U/16, finishing 100m hurdles in 14.0s, whilst in the 110m hurdles, Gerhard van Graag (Middleburg High School) u/18, finished in 14.5s and Senior athlete, Mondray Barnard (Heat Club) finished in 13.93s.

Wiehan Maree (Varsity College) and Joshua Napoleon (Nico Malan High School) pushed each other to new heights competing in the 800m. Wiehan just had enough strength to beat Joshua to the finish in a personal best time of 1min 54 seconds with Joshua finishing in 1min 55. Matsolo Thandolwethu (Kowie Striders) ran an excellent 1500m in 4 min 10seconds.

“With so many strong achievements it’s really difficult to highlight them all, but overall I am extremely excited to see how our athletes will perform at the SA Championships this year and wish them everything of the best.

“The selectors are hard at work behind the scenes and the athletes who qualified to represent EPA at the ASA championships will be announced later this week”, confirmed Barnard.
The National Athletic Championship which will be held in Pretoria on the 21-23 March for our junior athletes and u/23 (a new category) and our seniors will compete from 18-21 April in KZN Durban.