Records and world lead highlight AGN Championships
The 2026 Athletics Gauteng North Track and Field Championships produced an exciting weekend of competition on 13 and 14 March at Pilditch Stadium, Pretoria. The Championship was highlighted by several standout performances, records and world-leading marks highlighting the provincial showpiece.
Athletes from across the province competed in the U16, U18, U20, U23 and senior divisions as they chased provincial titles and qualifying standards for upcoming national championships. The ASA Age Group Championships (U16, U18, U20 & U23) are scheduled for 26 – 28 March in Germiston and the ASA Senior Championships for 16 – 18 April in Stellenbosch.
27 year old national youth record shattered
A recently developed rivalry produced a thriller on the track on day one of the AGN Championships. Emil Els and Tiisetso Malungane sprinted side by side in the last 80m of the U18 800m boys final. Both dipped under the 27 year old national youth record of 1:47.67 set by Mandla Nkosi in 1999. Emil took the gold on the line. The 16 year old Malungane took silver, but became the fastest ever U16 in the 800m in South Africa.
Continental and national record for Naeem Jack
On Day two of the Championships Naeem Jack set the track alight. Shattering the U20 African junior record in the 110m hurdles, he took the gold in the final in 13.02 seconds. With this performance he breaks his own record of 13.16 seconds set in Cape Town last year and lands himself the 8th fastest U20 in the event of all time.
World lead for Dambile
In the Senior Men 200m final, Sinesipho Dambile set a world lead at 20.06 seconds. This blistering time is also a qualifying time for the 2026 Glascow Common Wealth Games in July/August.
100m hurdles upset
The U18 100m hurdles final for women caused quite an upset. The national record holder, Megan Nieman, had to settle for bronze as Megan Maree stormed to victory in 13.12 seconds followed by Janelle Kirkpatrick who took silver. All three ran an AGN qualifying time for the national championships.
2026 athletics season drawing to a close
The 2026 Athletics Gauteng North Championships was a testimony of the wealth of the athletics talent in the province. With record-breaking performances and strong displays from athletes, the team selectors have their work cut out for them. In many events multiple athletes achieved the qualifying standards for the national championships. Athletics Gauteng North is a stronghold in the athletic community that hopefully can translate that to a medal winning result at the upcoming championships.
Naeem Jack in the 110 m hurdles final shattering the U20 junior African and national record
Photos by Lulu’s Sport Pics
