Athletics South Africa (ASA) has named a 49-strong national team to represent the country at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, scheduled to be held in Tokyo from September 13-21. The squad, which includes 32 men and 17 women, features a mix of seasoned campaigners and rising stars. Notably, 11 of the athletes are selected specifically for relay events.
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The announcement comes amidst concerns over the fitness of rising sprint star Bayanda Walaza, who pulled up with a hamstring injury at a recent Diamond League meeting in Zurich. The 19-year-old Olympic silver medalist from the 4x100m relay was leading his race at the 60-meter mark when the injury occurred. Despite the setback, he has been included in the team, though his fitness for the championships is not guaranteed.
The team features eight national record holders, including Akani Simbine (100m), Tshepo Tshite (1 500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10 000m), 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 (having won the global 400m title in 2015 and 2017), will focus on the 200m event. Though she hasn’t won a world outdoor title, world indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso is also in the squad.
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.
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The national squad also includes four relay teams in the men’s 4x100m, as well as the men’s, women’s and mixed 4x400m events. The men’s 4x100m team will be eager to step on the podium after securing the silver medal at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris and winning gold at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou earlier this season.
The men’s and women’s 4x400m squads will also be confident of challenging for podium places after earning gold and bronze respectively at the World Athletics Relays.
James Moloi, President of Athletics South Africa, was optimistic in his comments: “This team reflects the dedication, resilience, and hard work of our athletes, coaches, and support staff, who have tirelessly prepared for this moment on both local and international stages. Their selection is a recognition of excellence and a call to carry the South African flag with honour and pride.
“We urge the athletes to remain focused, disciplined, and united as they take on the world’s best. Championships of this calibre demand not only physical strength but also mental resilience, and we are confident that our team will rise to the occasion.
“South Africa stands behind you, and we believe your performances will inspire the next generation of athletes and reaffirm our place among the world’s athletics nations.”
Here is the full list of the South African team:
Women
- Shirley Nekhubui (400m)
- Miranda Coetzee (400m)
- Prudence Sekgodiso (800m)
- Charne du Plessis (800m)
- Marione Fourie (100m hurdles)
- Zeney van der Walt (400m hurdles)
- Rogail Joseph (400m hurdles)
- Miré Reinstorf (pole vault)
- Danielle Nolte (long jump)
- Ashley Erasmus (shot put)
- Miné de Klerk (shot put)
- Colette Uys (shot put)
- Jo-Ane du Plessis (javelin throw)
- Jessica Groenewalt (35km race walk)
- Marlie Viljoen (4x400m relay)
- Precious Molepo (4x400m relay)
- Hannah van Niekerk (4x400m relay)
Men
- Akani Simbine (100m)
- Bayanda Walaza (100m)
- Gift Leotlela (100m)
- Sinesipho Dambile (200m)
- Naeem Jack (200m)
- Wayde van Niekerk (200m)
- Zakithi Nene (400m)
- Lythe Pillay (400m)
- Tshepo Tshite (1 500m)
- Ryan Mphahlele (1 500m)
- Adriaan Wildschutt (10 000m)
- Elroy Gelant (marathon)
- Mondray Barnard (110m hurdles)
- Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles)
- John Adesola (110m hurdles)
- Sabelo Dhlamini (400m hurdles)
- Kyle Rademeyer (pole vault)
- Brian Raats (high jump)
- Cheswill Johnson (long jump)
- Aiden Smith (shot put)
- Chris van Niekerk (shot put)
- Victor Hogan (discus throw)
- Douw Smit (javelin throw)
- Wayne Snyman (20km race walk)
- Bradley Nkoana (4x100m relay)
- Retshidisitswe Mlenga (4x100m relay)
- Abduraghmaan Karriem (4x100m relay)
- Shaun Maswanganyi (4x100m relay)
- Udeme Okon (4x400m relay)
- Gardeo Isaacs (4x400m relay)
- Leendert Koekemoer (4x400m relay)
- Mthi Mthimkulu (4x400m relay)
Featured image: Getty
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