SENZO Nkozi is Kwazulu-Natal’s sole representative in the 38-strong junior athletics team announced by Athletics South Africa to compete in the CAA African Junior Championships in Mauritius from July 30 to August 2.

Nkozi, who was also part of ASA’s cross-country team, is South Africa’s sole competitor in the 10 000 m.

Several of the team members have already made their mark in international competitions and rank amongst the best in their events in South African senior competitions.

Caster Semenya, one of the brightest prospects in the middle distances, will lead the medal onslaught and will also use the championships as a last preparation for the IAAF World Championships in Berlin.

She is currently ranked world number one junior in 800 m following her exceptional 2:00,58 win in Germiston, which broke Zola Budd’s 2:00,9 record set in 1984.

Javelin thrower Tazmin Brits won the gold medal at the 12th IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz and is expected to dominate her event on the Indian Ocean Island.

“This team underlines ASA’s strategy to create a pool of athletes for future major international events. ASA is excited with the talent that has come to the fore and it will do its best to ensure that the athletes are assisted to become top performing athletes in the world.

“Currently ASA is supporting 94 athletes in its high-performance programme, which includes youth, junior and senior athletes in its bid to build sustainability in the sport”

Men: Waide Jooste, 100m; 4x100m (CGA); Ethan Floris, 100m; 4x100m (BOLA); Patrick Vosloo, 200m; 4x100m (AVT) Brent Stevens, 200m; 4x100m (WPA); Peter Marx, 400m; 4x400m (AFS); Shaun de Jager, 400m; 4x400m (BOLA); William Motosola, 800m; 3000m Sc and 4x400m (AFS); Retlale Mokone, 800m; 1500m and 4x400m (AFS); Jerry Motsau, 1500m (CGA); Folavio Sehohle, 5000m (CGA); Joel Monne, 5000m (ACNW); Lucas Bothabutle, 3000m Sc (ACNW); Senzo Nkosi, 10000m (KZNA); Dewald Bekker, 10 000m Walk (AGN); Cornel Fredericks, 110mH; 4x100m and 400mH; 4x400m (BOLA); Kobus Moolman, 110mH; 4x100m (AGN); Neil de Beer, 400mH; 4x400m (AGN); Ruan Claassen, High Jump (AVT); Luvo Manyonya, Long Jump (BOL); Dylan Cotter, Long Jump (CGA); Boipelo Mothlathlego, Triple Jump (AGN); Apelele Rasmeni, Triple Jump (BORA); Stephan Brink, Shot Put (AGN); Dewald van Heerden, Discus (CGA); Ulrich Damon, Javelin (ACNW); Cheyne Rahme, Pole Vault (CGA); Windy Jonas, 1500m (AFS); Willem le Roux, Decathlon (BOL) and Gert Swanepoel, Decathlon (ACNW).

Women: Allysa Conley, 100m and 200m (CGA); Melissa Hewitt, 100m (BOL); Rorisang Rammonye, 200m and 400m (ANWN); Anuschka Nice, 400m and 800m (CGA); Caster Semenya, 800m and 1500m (AGN); Lindie Liebenberg, Discus (BORA); Tazmin Brits, Javelin (ACNW); Gezelle Bernard, Javelin (BORA) and Corli Swart, 10000m Walk (AFS).