Welcome to this week’s round-up, brought to you by ProTouch Africa’s Podium Pursuit!
As a dedicated source that celebrates and recognises the achievements of African athletes on the global stage, we’re excited to present to you the highlights from the past week’s events.

From thrilling competitions to standout performances our digital clubhouse – the Podium Pursuit Fan App – will keep you updated on every stride, jump, and victory.
Grab your seat in the front row and stay connected to all your favorite athletes from Africa, as they pursue greatness.

Basketball Africa League (BAL)

Petro de Luanda Clinch 2024 BAL Title

In an exhilarating showdown, Petro de Luanda emerged victorious over Al Ahly Ly with a score of 107-94 on Saturday, claiming the 2024 Basketball Africa League title at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. This victory marks Petro de Luanda’s first continental title since their triumph in the 2015 FIBA Africa Champions Cup, held in their home city of Luanda.

Despite trailing 52-40 at halftime, the Angolan champions orchestrated a remarkable comeback in the third quarter, ending Al Ahly Ly’s three-game winning streak in the postseason. Petro de Luanda concluded their 2024 BAL campaign with a 5-3 record, while Al Ahly finished with a 6-4 record. With this win, Petro de Luanda has earned the opportunity to represent Africa at the next FIBA InterContinental Cup in Singapore this September.

Rugby Sevens

Photo Credit: @SARugby

Blitzboks Fall Short at Madrid Sevens

The Springbok Sevens, commonly known as the Blitzboks, had a disappointing performance at the Madrid Sevens this weekend, settling for a sixth-place finish. The South African team managed only one victory, defeating Australia Sevens to secure a spot in the fifth-place playoff.

However, their campaign was marred by two losses to Ireland, including a defeat in the Pool stage. Ireland scored two tries to lead 12-0 at halftime, and despite a late try from Impi Visser, the Blitzboks could not turn the game around. With the crucial Repechage qualifier in Monaco next month, the Blitzboks will need a significantly improved performance to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris.

Diamond League: Oslo & Stockholm

Photo Credit: @DiamondLeague

Simbine Sprints to Victory

South Africa’s Akani Simbine continued his impressive form, winning the men’s 100 metres at the Oslo Bislett Games with a time of 9.94 seconds. This victory marks his third consecutive win and second in a row on the Diamond League professional circuit, just shy of the season’s fastest time of 9.93 seconds set by Americans Christian Miller and Kendal Williams.

Gebrhiwet’s Stunning 5000m Performance

Hagos Gebrhiwet delivered one of the standout performances of the year, winning the men’s 5000m in 12:36.73 at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Oslo. This race featured three meeting records and five world leads on an enthralling night of athletics. Gebrhiwet’s victory was particularly notable given the presence of world record-holder and Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei, two-time world cross-country champion Jacob Kiplimo, and last year’s Bislett Games winner Yomif Kejelcha.

Sekgodiso Shines in Women’s 800m

South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso demonstrated her prowess in the women’s 800m, securing a win with a time of 1:58.66. Sekgodiso maintained a comfortable lead with 200 metres to go and held off a fast-finishing Natoya Goule-Toppin to claim victory, proving her recent win in Marrakesh was no fluke.

Thrilling Men’s Triple Jump

In a closely contested men’s triple jump, world champion Fabrice Hugues Zango edged out Algeria’s Yasser Triki by just two centimetres, with a winning jump of 17.27m to Triki’s 17.25m.

Brussels Classic

Biniam Girmay from Eritrea showcased his sprinting prowess by securing second place at the Brussels Classic. Girmay, known for his powerful finishes, demonstrated his capabilities against a competitive field, adding another impressive result to his growing list of achievements. His performance highlights the rising talent coming from Eritrea and further establishes him as a formidable contender in international cycling events.

French Open

Photo Credit: Reuters

Jabeur Reaches Quarterfinals

Ons Jabeur from Tunisia has made a significant impact at the French Open, advancing to the quarterfinals where she will face off against Coco Gauff. Jabeur’s journey through the tournament has been marked by her exceptional skill and determination, representing a major milestone for Tunisian tennis. Her upcoming match against Gauff promises to be an exciting encounter as both players vie for a spot in the semifinals.

This week’s sporting events have showcased thrilling performances and surprising upsets, setting the stage for an exciting lead-up to the Paris Olympic Games. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from the world of sports by DOWNLOADING the Podium Pursuit app. 

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PROTOUCH AFRICA is a purpose-led and Sports Tech business founded in 2016 with a focus on enabling African Athletes to perform on the World Stage.

It is pioneering new ways for fans to interact and engage with their favourite teams, leagues, and athletes and enable alternative revenue streams.

ProTouch Africa’s Podium Pursuit Project is focused on creating a transparent and sustainable funding mechanism for the next generation of African Athletes. Its vision is to launch the World’s first fan-owned impact investment platform for African Athletes in 2024 by assembling an ecosystem of top-performing athletes, their fans, and the brands that support them.