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Double Africa record at Nedbank champs

There was a double reason to celebrate on the first day of athletics at the Nedbank National Championships for the Physically Disabled, presented by SASAPD, as a friendly rivalry saw the African long jump record broken twice in a row.

Mbali Madondo and Elizabeth Lekhele put their friendship on hold in the final of the Women’s Open Long Jump (F46) on Monday, facing off in their attempt to try and break a world record.

Both athletes qualified for London 2012, but failed to get the international qualification that would have seen them go to the games, but have focused their sights firmly on Rio 2016 in their attempt to achieve gold.

Lekhele jumped an impressive 3.13metres - almost half a metre above the African record – only to see it broken minutes later by Madondo, who went on to take the gold medal in the category.

Both athletes have now set their sights on the World Record, hoping to make a mark in the near future as they continue their Road to Rio.

Madondo said she was excited as she had achieved her goal of achieving the international qualifying standard as well, and believes the rivalry with Lekhele will enable her to push herself to greater heights.

“I’m over the moon and excited. This year it means something - I also broke it last year and what makes it great is that I’ve got the classification to compete internationally and have taken the first step to qualify for Rio,” Madondo explained.

“We are friends, and we broke the record together last year. It was exciting to compete against her, and she’s good at long jump. In the past I never had any competition, and she pushed me hard. It’s great to compete against her.”

Lekhele said she appreciated the competition, although she watched in disbelief as she lost the gold medal. Still, this has now inspired her to train harder to make sure she doesn’t finish second again.

“I was expecting to break the world record, but the African record will do. I was shocked; because it was the first time I’ve got silver.  I have to train harder – she’s served as my inspiration to train harder now,” Lekhele said.

The athletics programme will continue through Monday and Tuesday, with the Tuesday evening session likely to see a number of the Paralympic medalists for the first time since their appearance at London 2012.