South Africa's Junior Sprinters Shine on the Global Stage
- Admin
- Mar 30
- 2 min read
Cape Town, South Africa – March 27, 2025 – South Africa's junior sprinters delivered electrifying performances at the ASA U20 Track and Field Championships, held at Green Point Stadium. Rising stars Bayanda Walaza and Karabo Letebele captivated the audience with their remarkable feats, solidifying their status as promising talents in global athletics.
Bayanda Walaza, the reigning SA junior 100m and 200m record holder, showcased his world-class capabilities by clocking an impressive 9.99 seconds earlier this year, becoming the fastest junior sprinter worldwide. His victory in the U20 100m event further underscores his dominance on the track.
Karabo Letebele, Walaza's season-long rival, secured the national silver medal in the U20 100m event with a personal best of 10.18 seconds early this season. Despite limited international exposure and recovering from a hamstring strain, Letebele's exceptional performance is a testament to his grit, talent, and the impeccable preparation by his coach, Hermann.
Letebele's manager, Munya Maraire, CEO of the World Wide Scholarships Organization, praised both athletes, saying, "Walaza is an extremely gifted athlete and deserved the victory. His international exposure has been invaluable in shaping his career trajectory. Karabo Letebele, however, is still very young, and his progress is already remarkable, given he’s still building essential fundamentals. People often forget we're early in the season—achieving a 10.18s PB at this stage is remarkable. Coach Hermann has done an impeccable job preparing Karabo despite challenges, and the future looks exceptionally bright."
Letebele is currently preparing to attend top universities in the United States, with plans to enroll in September 2025 or January 2026. His academic and athletic ambitions position him as a beacon of South Africa's commitment to nurturing world-class talent.
The ASA U20 Track and Field Championships continue through March 29, providing a platform for emerging talents to compete for national titles and secure pathways to international events like the African U20 Championships and the World Athletics Championships.
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