Asaba 2018: Javelin champ, Rensburg, craves podium presence after CWG misharp

The build-up to the 2018 African Athletics Championships to be staged in Asaba, Delta State is already generating so much excitement as athletes across the continent are talking tough.

Javelin thrower, Phil-Mar Janse van Rensburg, who finished fourth at the recent Commonwealth Games has declared that he has shaken off the disappointment in Gold Coast, Australia and he is now looking forward to doing well at the African championships where he is the defending champion.

Producing a best heave of 79.83m, he was disappointed not to find a place on the podium, but the South African remains positive about the rest of the season, setting his sights next on the African Championships to be held in Asaba later this year.

“This is my third competition for the year, so I’m still on the upward curve and from here on we’ll see how it goes, but I’m still confident,” van Rensburg said.

The 28-year old holds a personal best of 80.49 m.

He was a bronze medallist at the 2015 African Games then became African champion at the 2016 African Championships in Athletics.

Already, Athletics South Africa have unveiled an ambitious 127-member national preparation squad for the 2018 CAA African Senior Championships in Asaba, Nigeria between August 1-5.

The SA athletics team earned 13 medals, including five gold at the Commonwealth Games and they are hoping to build on the successes in Australia when they compete in Asaba.

South Africa emerged overall champions in the last two editions of the  African Athletics Championships and they hoping to complete a hat trick of title in Asaba.