South African boxer Ayabonga Sonjica has been eliminated from the Olympic Boxing tournament. Sonjica couldn’t make it past the round of 32 in the men’s Bantam Weight and was knocked out by Detelin Dalakliev of Bulgaria. In other sport action, the South African women’s hockey team had a dismal start in their opening match against Argentina. The South African’s looked out of sorts against the sixth ranked South Americans going down by five goals to one in the first half. In cycling, the women’s road race took a similar course to the men’s event through parts of south west London and Surrey. Despite a shorter distance of 140 kilometres – the 66 starters had their work cut out for them in dangerous, damp conditions. Marion Vos of the Netherlands who initiated a breakaway with about 30 kilometers to go – edged out race favourite Elizabeth Armitstead of Great Britain in a sprint finish to claim gold while Russia’s Olga Zabelinskaya bagged the bronze. South Africa’s top rider Ashleigh Moolman-Passio finished in 16th place.
South Africa’s Oscar Pistorious is adding the final touches to his preparations.
In Badmington – Dorian James and Willem Viljoen lost both their men’s doubles matches by two sets to love. The pair lost their first Group C encounter to Denmark yesterday and their fortunes didn’t improve against the seventh ranked Chinese team today going down 21-8 and 21-13. Their female counterparts Michelle Edwards and Annari Viljoen also lost their opening clash against Korea yesterday and will face Australia later tonight. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Oscar Pistorious is adding the final touches to his preparations. The 25-year-old will re-write the history books at the London Games when he becomes the first amputee to compete in track and field at an Olympics. The Blade Runner will participate in the men’s 400 metres and in South Africa’s 4 by 400m relay team.
– By
