Sprinter Anaso Jobodwana stole the show at the first-ever Liquid Telecom Athletix Grand Prix meeting in Ruimsig on Thursday night, but there was disappointment for veteran track star LJ Van Zyl.
The 200m men's race was billed as one of the highlights of the meeting, and it duly delivered as former World Championships bronze medalist Jobodwana saw off young rival Clarence Munyai with a time of 20.13, equalling his 6th-best.
"I'm glad to be back where I was three years ago," Jobodwana told the media afterwards. "My form is coming back and I am feeling good. I'm really happy with my run.
"I didn't want to race here because it has been a long time since I have run a 200m and the guys like Clarence and Isaac [Makwala] are dangerous. So this means a lot to me. I'm healthy. My form is coming back and I am excited to be racing well again."
Earlier, Dai Greene won the 400m Hurdles in 49.38, his best time since 2013. The Welshman won the world title in 2011 and has since had three operations, but his form is gradually coming back and earlier in the week he clocked 49.49sec in Potchefstroom to qualify for the Commonwealth Games.
"This was a really good week for me. Qualifying for the Commonwealth Games after years of injury was big for me. But to improve on that time from Tuesday after sitting in traffic for 40 minutes before the race really has me excited," the Welshman said.
Greene defeated long-time rival LJ Van Zyl, who crossed the line in 49.64sec. This is the first time the multiple SA champion and record holder has dipped under 50sec this season.
The Ugandan duo of Winnie Nanyondo and Halimah Nakaayi did not disappoint as they went one-two in the 800m Women. After going through the bell in 59 seconds, Nakaayi stayed in front on the final lap to win in 2:01.44, with Nanyondo coming home in 2:02.84 and Gena Lofstrand (2:03.56) rounding out the top three.
Botswana's Amantle Montsho, the 2011 world champion in the 400m, destroyed the opposition with her time of 50.66. Justine Palframan had to settle for third behind Botswana's Christine Botlogetswe (52.07).
Seventeen-year-old George Manangoi showed why he is the World Youth 1 500m champion from 2017 when he came flying through in the final 30 meters to win in a time of 3:40.62. Manangoi is the younger brother of the World 1 500m champion Elijah Manangoi.
*Liquid Telecom and Kwesé are subsidiaries of Econet.