The meet will be without one of the biggest drawcards in the form of the teenage sprint sensation from Lucky Molenyane, who is still at school at Grey College in Bloemfontein.

The junior world record holder, Moleyane, told OFM Sport that he had to withdraw due to a hamstring niggle.

“It was going to be a great opportunity for me to run against the big guns, because it is not easy and not everyone can do that.

“I was really looking forward to it, but unfortunately, I tore my hamstring. It's a grade one tear and a pull.

“We'll being trying to find out what the problem is and hopefully we can solve it.

“Other than that, we were really looking forward to the meet.”

In 2021, during the World Athletics Junior World Championships, in Nairobi, Kenya, the South African boys' relay team consisting of Mihlali Xhotyeni, Sinesipho Dambile, Benjamin Richardson and Moleyane, set a world record of 38.51 seconds in the 4 x 100 m final.

Meanwhile, the South African shot-put champion for men, Kyle Blignaut, will be in action in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.

It has been confirmed that Blignaut, who has a personal best of is 21.21 metres, will compete and he will also target the South African and Africa record.

Blignaut said he will target a distance of 21.80m, while he has is sights set on an even further distance.

“I am ambitious. I want to improve and focus on the big throw in this big competition,” said Blignaut.

For national record I’ll be happy with a 21.80m throw and then maybe something special can happen for me this season.

“I love competition and therefore that’s why I work hard on conditioning and so that I suffer many injuries. I am ready to make history.”  

The action gets underway on Wednesday afternoon with the pre-programme at 14:30 at the Mangaung Athletics Stadium.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport