ALL AFRICAN SLALOM CHAMPIONSHIPS, BETHLEHEM, SOUTH AFRICA

DAY TWO
After a fantastic day of highly competitive racing an upset at the African Champs!

In the K1 event Benjamin Boukpeti (Toga) had to settle with second place thus missing out on the all important African Continental qualification to the London Olympics where he had hoped to improve on his bronze medal from Beijing. First place, Olympic qualification and the title of African Slalom K1 title went to Johnathan Akinyemi of Nigeria!
3rd place went to Mehi Rouich from Morocco.
Highest placed South Africa Donovan Wewege was 4th just ahead of Katleho “Success” Mahlaba in 5th

In the ladies K1 Jihane Samlal from Morocco claimed the Olympic Place beating Debra Prossy Marembe (Uganda) into 2nd and Wamuranga Grace Maina (Kenya) 3rd.

The 2012 African Champion in the Men’s C1 Slalom is none other than home town hero Siboniso “Master” Cele. Siboniso edged out his good friend and training partner Lindilani “Cyprian” Ngidi who threatened him each and every step of the way but faltered slightly on the final all important run. Siboniso does also secure the African Olympic qualification place for C1! This “ticket” to London is however at the mercy of SASCOC who set their own qualifying criteria for slalom as the World Champs in 2011. Siboniso, a former Olympian, is desperate to get to London and the ICF officials out for the event where extremely impressed by his progress and dedication not only to his own paddling but also to the development of the host of aspiring and talented youngsters who he and Lindelani coach.
Seeing him at the Olympics would do so much for the aspiration and commitment of this untapped potential for the future of Slalom in SA.

CELE* Siboniso RSA 91.39 2 93.39 0.00
NGIDI* Lindelani RSA 98.16 2 100.16 +6.77
NTOE Mokutu RSA 115.85 6 121.85 +28.46
MOFOKENG* Jabulani Jivan RSA 115.65 52 167.65 +74.26


DAY ONE
After day one and the heats South Africa is looking good to secure the Olympic qualification spot for the C1 category. (it must be noted that SASCOC’s criteria required qualification to be at the World Champs so getting to London is not guaranteed) Siboniso “Master” Cele is just in front after the heats and the racing will be very tense today as he is pushed all the way by his training partner and good friend Lindilani “Cyprian” Ngidi who is determined to slug it out to the end. It is really great to see these two top class athletes shouting encouragement to each other even though they are locked in battle.

In the Open Championships Dariusz Popiela from Poland (fourth in 2011 World Champs) is leading with Benjamin Boukpeti (Bronze at Beijing Olympics). Having two of the best slalom paddlers in the world is an incredible privilege for our South African athletes and spectators alike.

Results below:

C1
Siboniso Cele (SA) 94.65
Lindilani Ngidi (SA) 95.43
Jabulani Mofokeng (SA) 101.77
Simon Werro (Switzerland) 109.29
Mokutu Ntoe (SA) 109.24

K1
Over all
1. Dariusz Popiela (Poland) : 75.48
2. Benjamin Boukpeti (Toga) :79.34
3. Maarten Hermans (Netherlands) 81.47
4. Bas Wesselink (Netherlands) 83.72
5. Lukas Werro (Switzerland) 83.97
African Championships
1. Benjamin Boukpeti (Toga) 79.84
2. Johnathan Akinyemi (Nigeria) 87.71
3. Mehi Rouich (Morocco) 88.16
4. Katleho Success Mahlaba (South Africa) 88.60
5. Donovan Wewege (South Africa) 94.16