Weekly Round-Up: Wayde van Niekerk’s record, Zambia’s COSAFA Cup triumph, and more

The weekend was a testament to African athletes’ extraordinary talents and determination as they made their mark in various sporting disciplines. From the grand stage of the Diamond League and the World Aquatics Championships to the fierce competition of the COSAFA Cup, this past weekend had it all.

Diamond League Silesia

The Diamond League Silesia event witnessed African athletes shining brightly and claiming seven gold medals, on Sunday, 16th July. Athletes such as Hirut Meshesha from Ethiopia, Akani Simbine and Wayde van Niekerk from South Africa, Freweyni Hailu from Ethiopia, Tobi Amusan from Nigeria, Soufiane El Bakkali from Morocco, and Mary Moraa from Kenya showcased their exceptional skills and elevated themselves to the pinnacle of their respective events.

Notably, van Niekerk set a new Meeting record time of 44.08 seconds in the Men’s 400m, solidifying his status as one of the world’s top sprinters.

World Aquatics Championships

African athletes excelled at the World Aquatics Championships over the weekend, with Maha Eissa from Egypt and Julia Vincent from South Africa securing top 10 spots in their respective events. Eissa achieved fifth place in the Women’s 1m Springboard Final, while Vincent secured sixth place in the Women’s 1m Springboard Preliminary. Furthermore, South Africa faced a significant defeat, losing 24-2 to Greece in Water Polo.

COSAFA Cup

The COSAFA Cup concluded in a thrilling competition on Sunday. Zambia emerged as the champions, displaying their football prowess and claiming the coveted title. Lesotho secured second place, while South Africa showcased their skill by defeating Malawi and clinching the bronze medal.

The Rugby Championship

The Rugby Championship brought together some of the world’s best rugby teams, including the  Springboks. Their match against New Zealand, on Saturday, 18th July, was a stern test, resulting in a 20-35 defeat in Auckland. Despite the challenging score line, the Springboks demonstrated their unwavering resolve and fought relentlessly until the final whistle.

Tour de France

In the Tour de France, African cyclists faced both adversity and triumph. South African Louis Meintjes was forced to retire after a mass crash in the 14th stage. However, Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay showed resilience, currently holding the 134th position after stage 15.

Photo Credit: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

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