Gift Leotlela and Adam Smith steal the show on day one of the ASA Senior Championships

Gift Leotlela powered his way into a national men's 100m title on day one of the Athletics South Africa Senior Championships at the Puk McArthur Stadium in Potchefstroom on Thursday.

Leotlela (9.95) ran the fastest time heading into the final, and although it was wind-assisted, he went into battle for the medals as the man to beat, in a final that would possibly require a faster time than the times set in qualifying.

Bayanda Walaza, who has shown previously that he’s fully capable of breaking the 10-second mark with a career best time of 9.99 seconds, also eased into the semi-finals of the men’s 100m earlier in the day.

He backed his performance with yet another impressive showing to qualify for the final in an unofficial time of 10.02, winning his semi-final race ahead of the exciting Karabo Letebele (10.22) and Paris silver medalist winner Bradley Nkoana (10.25), who finished third but was not fast enough to make the final.

It was a star-studded final headlined by some of South Africa's brightest talents on display, and making his first appearance at the South African championships in the last four years, Leotlela backed up his sub-ten-second heat time with an unofficial time of 9.99 seconds to beat Walaza to the line by the barest of margins, winning his first national title and booking his spot for the World Championships later this year in Tokyo, Japan. 

“I knew what I did in the semi-final and had to do the same thing in the final. Leotlela said after winning the race.

“I knew I had to focus on myself and the execution of my race and not worry about anything else.”

Leotlela was not quick off the blocks but had the better finish amongst all the finalists.

“I tried not to panic because I was coming from behind, and Bayanda and Benjamin (Richardson) are quick, so I had to stay composed.”

Richardson (10.05) locked out the podium places, while Cheswill Johnson (10.12) and Letebele (10.17) were not far off.

Elsewhere, Prudence Sekgodiso (2:06.85) won her women’s 800m race, beating strong competition from Naum Bobape (2:08.19), who came in second after fading in the latter parts of the race, with Carise van Rooyen (2:09.95) finishing third. The world indoor 800m gold medalist showed her intentions from the line and maintained her lead throughout the two-lap race.

Sekgodiso is expected to go hard into battle with last year's champion, Charne Swart, who eased into the second heat win in an unofficial time of 2:07.15, ahead of Gena Lofstrand (2:07.84), with Afiwe Hoboloshe coming in third place (2:08.69).

Kyle Blignaut had to settle for second, as his throw of 20.07 was only second best to Aiden Smith’s winning throw of 20.31 in the final of the men’s shotput. The pair of them were miles ahead of their competition, with Hencu Lamberts only managing 17.89 in third position.