Scott-Efurd headlines SA performances at World Championships

Distance runner Dominique Scott-Efurd was the stand-out performer for the SA team on Wednesday, booking her place in the women’s 5000m final at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Scott-Efurd finished eighth in her first-round heat in 15:05.01. Defending champion Hellen Obiri of Kenya was the fastest of the 15 qualifiers for Saturday’s final, winning her heat in 14:52.41.

In the men’s 110m hurdles event, national record holder Antonio Alkana delivered another consistent result but it was not enough and he missed out on a place in the final. Alkana grabbed the third spot in his semifinal in 13.47 seconds, crossing the line 0.11 outside the time he would have needed to progress.

Thapelo Phora also put up a fight in the men’s 400m semifinals, but while he was well-placed off the top bend, he lost some ground down the home straight and settled for fifth place in his heat.

Dipping on the line in 45.24, he was just 0.05 shy of his Personal Best, but Phora’s performance was only the 16th fastest time which meant he was eliminated.

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo