With medals, records, and inspiring performances, the ASA Primary Sub-Youth Championships highlighted the future stars of South African athletics, including standout sprinters.
Potchefstroom, South Africa (09 December 2025)- The future of athletics in South Africa is looking brighter than ever, with aspiring young stars lighting up the track at the ASA Primary Sub-Youth Championships in Potchefstroom. Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) stole the show, breaking nine national age-group records on an unforgettable second day at NWU McArthur Stadium.
Siphiwe Sikhosana, CGA’s development officer, attributed the success to strong grassroots structures.
“It’s a collective effort from the coaches and the clubs. They do the groundwork, spotting talent and nurturing it. We also have a club development programme for previously disadvantaged clubs and work closely with schools sport. Most of these athletes start making waves at primary school events before moving into our club structures.”
The U7 boys’ 80m heats were a highlight, where six athletes broke the unofficial SA record. Daniel Kabuya led the pack for CGA, clocking 10.83 seconds, almost a full second faster than the previous mark of 11.73. In a fiercely competitive final, Daniel finished fifth, while CGA teammate Ontlametse Malatse sprinted to gold in 10.88.
Over in the U13 boys, Cody Benn of Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) made headlines with two record-breaking performances. First, he blitzed the 200m heat in 22.15, breaking the national best of 22.48, before claiming gold in the final. Cody then anchored the AGN 4x100m relay team. He was alongside Riku van Zyl, Tumisho Mabiletja, and Tristan Swanepoel. We saw a 45.49 victory, slicing nearly half a second off the SA record.
CGA athletes did not stop there. Lwandle Dlamini (U13 girls 200m), Martmari Rautenbach (U13 girls 75m hurdles), Aiden Andrews (U9 boys 80m), and Mieke van Wyk (U9 girls 80m) all set new national bests. Athletics North West North also got in on the action, with Janco Lubbe winning U11 boys 70m hurdles in 10.31 and Amy de Wet taking the U9 girls 600m in 1:48.74.
By the end of the weekend, CGA finished on top with a total of 45 medals, that’s 18 gold, 16 silver, and 11 bronze. AGN followed closely with 40 medals, while host province ACNW rounded out the podium with 21.
Over 1,100 young athletes from 14 provincial bodies competed over two action-packed days, showcasing the depth of South Africa’s next generation of track and field talent.
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