SA athletes continue to disappoint at world champs

South African athletes have continued to disappoint at the World Athletics Championships currently under way in Osaka, Japan. Sprinters Morne Nagel and Christian Krone bombed out of the men's 200m first round in disappointing fashion.

Nagel and Krone both failed to advance to the second round at the World Athletics Championships. Nagel, a former world indoor champion, finished seventh in his heat - clocking a time of 21.3.5. Krone finished fifth in his heat. His time of 20.8.5 was just out of qualifying.

However, other Africans competing in the championships did not disappoint. Olympic silver medallist Brimin Kipruto led a Kenyan sweep of the podium in the men's 3000m steeplechase. Kipruto surged clear of Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi in the final 150 metres, cruising home in 8.13.82. Richard Mateelong came in third.

Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya also won gold in the women's 800m final. The 23-year-old Commonwealth champion clocked 1.56.4. Mozambique's Maria Mutola did not finish the race. Russia took all the medals in the women's long jump final. The gold went to Tatyana Lebedeva, who jumped 7.3m.