On 01 October 2023, South Africa’s national team competed – and outperformed – at the World Athletics Championships in Latvia (Eastern Europe).
The World Athletics Road Running Championships is an international event that takes place in varying countries around the world. Johanita Bester (Life Health Solutions’ clinic administrator) was one of the team managers appointed by Athletics South Africa (ASA) to lead the South African delegation at the 2023 championships. Johanita – who has been involved in national athletics for over a decade – was responsible for taking care of the 14 South African athletes. She made sure that the team attended all their practice sessions, got to races on time, and wore the correct race number and attire. Her other responsibilities included engaging with the press, attending status updates, coordinating travel, and other logistical arrangements.
At the championships, international teams competed in three racing distances: the 21km race made up of an 8-person squad (4 men and 4 women); the 5km race made up of a 4-person squad (2 men and 2 women); and the 1.6km street mile consisting of 2 athletes (1 man and 1 woman).
TeamSA’s performance was exceptional
The South African team did exceptionally well at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga. Of the 46 countries that participated, South Africa finished in 5th place, outperforming countries like France, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and the United States. For the 21km race, our men's team came 3rd with a bronze medal. The ladies team came in 4th place – just 11 seconds behind Great Britain. The two athletes who participated in the street mile, Ryan Mphahlele and Carina Viljoen, went to set a new record for South Africa. Overall, not only did the teams perform well, but many of them also achieved their personal bests.
Well done to athletes as well as to Johanita Bester and her management team who left #TeamSA to victory.
