Six NWU athletes compete in African Championships in Ghana

by Phenyo Mokgothu

Six athletes from the North-West University (NWU) are representing South Africa at the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, placing the university among the country’s strongest contributors to the national team.

The championships, organised by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) and being hosted at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra from 12 to 17 May, will bring together some of the continent’s leading track and field athletes.

The NWU’s contingent includes sprinters Bradley Nkoana and Mihlali Xotyeni, middle-distance runner Luan Munnik, pole vaulter Valco van Wyk, hurdler Rogail Joseph and discus thrower Righardt Stander.

Students in the fast track

Nkoana enters the championships after helping South Africa secure silver in the men’s 4x100 m relay at the recent World Athletics Relays in Gaborone. The relay team, which included Akani Simbine, Cheswill Johnson and Mvuyo Moss, clocked 37,49 seconds and qualified for the 2027 World Athletics Championships.

Nkoana, who studies coaching science at the NWU, has continued to rise in South African sprinting and is ranked ninth in Africa in the 100 m heading into the continental championships.

Xotyeni will also compete in the men’s 100 m after earning selection to the national team through his performances during the domestic season. His inclusion adds further sprint depth to the NWU athletics programme. He is a BCom student in business management.

Middle-distance runner Munnik, who is studying towards a postgraduate diploma in management, goes into the championships ranked fifth in Africa in the 1 500 m. Munnik has established himself as one of the country’s leading distance athletes through strong performances on the national circuit.

In the field events, Van Wyk, a sports science student, arrives in Accra ranked third in Africa in the pole vault, while Stander is ranked sixth in the discus throw.

Joseph, a coaching science student, will compete in the women’s 400 m hurdles and enters the championships as Africa’s top-ranked athlete in the event. She has been one of South Africa’s most consistent hurdlers over the past season and will be among the medal contenders in Accra.

High hopes of a strong showing

The South African squad for the championships consists of 35 members, with the NWU contributing six athletes to the national team.

The NWU wishes Team South Africa and the university’s six representatives’ success at the championships. Their selection reflects the strength of the institution’s athletics programme and its contribution to national sport.