The national Under-20 team earned six more podium places on Sunday to end their four-day campaign with 17 medals (12 gold, four silver and one bronze) at the African Junior Championships in Tlemcen, Algeria.
Sprinter Clarence Munyai stormed to a spectacular victory in the men’s 200m final clocking 20.22 for the second fastest time of his career.
Munyai shattered the 22-year-old championship record of 20.76 held by Ibrahim Meite of the Ivory Coast, finishing well ahead of Zimbabwean silver medallist Kundai Maguranyanga who crossed the line in 21.11.
In the men’s discus throw, the SA squad bagged a one-two, with Werner Dames launching a best effort of 72.75m to edge out countryman Hernu van Vuuren by just one centimetre.
Mpho Tladi was also in fine form, charging to a commanding win in the men’s 110m hurdles final in 13.78, albeit with the benefit of a +2.4m/s tailwind.
Among the women, discus thrower Yolandi Stander secured gold with a best effort of 49.13m, adding to her silver medal in the shot put earlier in the week.
She fell 21 centimetres shy of her personal best, taking the title more than 10 metres clear of her nearest opponent.
Jana Steinmann, the shot put gold medallist, settled for fourth place with the discus implement, delivering a best attempt of 34.93m.
Versatile athlete Jone Kruger won the heptathlon with 4 850 points, holding off a challenge from Afaf Benhadja of Algeria, who took second place with 4 552 points in front of her home crowd.
The SA team finished second in the table behind Ethiopia, who bagged 38 medals, including 13 gold.
* Full results are available in our Results section