Two South African athletics records fell on Saturday, one at home on the road and another abroad on the track.

In Zagreb, Croatia 19-year-old Bayanda Walaza won the men’s 100m race at the Boris Hanzekovic Memorial, a World Athletics Continental Tour meeting.

He stopped the clock at 9.94 seconds, breaking his own national U20 record of 9.99 which he set in Tshwane in March and climbing to fourth place in the all-time world junior rankings.

Walaza finished well clear of German sprinter Owen Ansah, who took second place in Zagreb in 10.20.

Back home, Jessica Groenewald broke the national women’s record at the ASA 35km Race Walking Championships held in Cape Town.

Groenewald, representing Athletics Central North West (ACNW), went unchallenged on her way to an impressive victory in 3:10:40.

She took nearly 10 minutes off the previous SA 35km best of 3:20:25 which was set by Natalie le Roux en route to the finish at the 50km World Race Walking Championships in Taicang in 2018.

Nthatisi Mokhele won a closely contested battle for the silver medal in Cape Town, taking second place for Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA).

Mokhele completed the race in 3:56:10, just one minute clear of Marizel Meintjies (ACNW) who was third in 3:57:10.

Tumisang Pule dominated the men’s race, winning gold for Athletics Gauteng North in 2:54:20, well ahead of his provincial teammate Thando Lumkwana who earned silver in 3:21:40.

Cassius Matseba (CGA) grabbed bronze in 3:25:50.

“We are thrilled by the performance of our athletes who are raising the stakes in their respective events,” said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa.

“Judging from the time shaved from the previous records one can tell they both meant serious business.

“We are happy for the athletes, coaches and support staff for these achievements.

We are also wishing well all our athletes who will be competing in the Diamond League meeting in Rabat, Morocco on Sunday.”