UJ Crowned 2025 USSA Track and Field Champions

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The University of Johannesburg were crowned USSA champions after delivering stellar performances across a broad spectrum of events at this year’s spectacle that was hosted at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria over the weekend.

With terrific performances from athletes like Precious Molepo, Nolwazi Mashaba and Phemelo Ntoe (to name a few), UJ gathered 322 points, more than 40 points ahead of the second place finishers, the University of Pretoria (278). North-West University finished third with 276 points and the University of Free State fourth (200).

On a different note, Bayanda Walaza was the only athlete to qualify for the World Athletics Championships at this event. Also setting the championship alight, were record breakers Barnard, Reinstorf, Geldenhuys, Uys and the NWU relay team.

South Africa’s Olympic silver medalist, Bayanda Walaza, once again demonstrated that he is a man on a mission when he blew the men’s 100m field away on day one, running 10.00 seconds. The 19-year-old sprinting ace has crowds on their feet wherever he goes, and it was no different at this year’s USSA championships.

The former world under 20 champion, Mire Reinstorf, flew over the pole vault crossbar that was set at 4.35m. In 2022 the Stellenbosch University athlete cleared 4.00m, meaning Reinstorf finds herself in the shape of her life.

Zenè Geldenhuys (USSA Ind), the Commonwealth Games medalist, bolted around the track to improve her own 400m hurdles record to 55.70.Her previous record set in 2023 stood at 55.75.

In the men’s 4x400m relay event, the team from North-West University bettered the record set by the same institution in 2021. The previous time of 3:07.05 was exchanged for 3:05.06.

Colette Uys (UP) cemented her place as one of the most versatile field athletes in Africa when she won the women’s discus throw competition as well, walking away with three gold medals in three days.

In the men’s and women’s 200m races, underdogs Kyle Zinn (UWC) and Annestaysha George (UP) sprinted to gold in their respective events. Zinn ran 20.65 seconds, and George 23.54.

Wernich Van Rensburg (UFS) outsmarted Namibia’s Andre Retief (NWU) to win the men’s 400m hurdles in 49.95. Dipping under 50 seconds is a special feat for any long hurdle athlete.

The University of Johannesburg made a clean sweep in the men’s 10000m final in the early hours of day 3. Boikanyo Motlhamme clocked 30:46.01 to win the gold medal, leaving the rest of the podium spots open for his teammates Prince Madume (silver, 31:01.13) and Phemelo Ntoe (31:01.56).

Karabo Mailula (UP) and Nehang Khatala (USSA Ind, NWU), the women’s half-marathon and 5000m champions, went head-to-head in their 25 lap race. It came down to a sprint finish, but it was Mailula who wanted it more. She ran 34:53.89 to secure another gold medal. Khatala clocked 34:55.45 for the silver.

Michaela Oosthuizen powered her way to victory in the women’s 800m final. Leading from the gun, the confident University of Pretoria athlete finished the race in 2:07.54, about 5 seconds ahead of the silver medallist.

The men’s 800m title went to Molifi Mohlomi from the University of Free State. Pacing his race perfectly, Mohlomi (1:49.11) dragged three more athletes to sub 1:50.

On the field, Karmen Fouché (NWU) jumped 1.75m and 6.40m to win the women’s high and long jump competitions. Her teammate, Ewald Jansen, threw 75.55m to secure the gold medal in the javelin.

UP’s Peace Adedokun leaped 16.20m in the men’s triple jump, securing valuable points for the Pretoria side. Aiden Smith’s (USSA Ind) exceptional 20.24m put was enough to win the gold medal in the men’s shot put event.

Finishing strongly, UP’s women sprinters controlled the 4x400m relay from the clap of the gun. NWU finished second, and TUT third.

USSA remains a breeding ground for the next generation of South Africa’s world-class athletes and citizens. While UJ won the championship, everyone who competed contributed to the spirit of the sport.

Story: USSA