Celebrating 2024: April’s Unstoppable Momentum

As we continue our Celebrating 2024 Campaign, April delivered exceptional performances across a variety of sports, keeping Africa at the forefront of global athletics.

From record-breaking runs to marathon victories, African athletes once again showcased their dominance on the world stage. Let’s take a look at the thrilling highlights from April and celebrate the athletes who left an indelible mark on the world stage.

Wanyonyi’s World Record Mile: A New Star is Born

April kicked off with a stunning breakthrough in Herzogenaurach, Germany, where 19-year-old Emmanuel Wanyonyi shattered the world record for the road mile in his competitive debut at the distance.

The Kenyan sensation, predominantly known for his prowess in the 800 meters, clocked an incredible 3 minutes 54.56 seconds.

This performance not only established Wanyonyi as a rising star but also demonstrated his versatility and determination to push the limits. Already a silver medalist at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, Wanyonyi is set to become one of Africa’s leading figures in middle-distance running.

Photo:@WorldAthletics

 Marathon Dominance: African Runners Shine Worldwide

April was another stellar month for Africa’s long-distance runners, who continued their winning streak at some of the world’s most prestigious marathons.

• Boston Marathon: On April 15th, the Boston Marathon saw Africa’s finest marathoners dominate the field. Hellen Obiri delivered a stunning performance, securing her third consecutive major marathon victory with a blistering time of 2:22:37. In the men’s race, Sisay Lemma triumphed with a remarkable time of 2:06:17, solidifying his status as a marathon powerhouse.
• Rotterdam and London Marathons: African athletes continued to shine at the Rotterdam Marathon, claiming 5 of the 6 podium spots. The trend continued at the London Marathon, where African runners swept 5 of the 6 podium places, further underscoring the continent’s unparalleled dominance in long-distance running.
• Two Oceans Marathon: Back in Cape Town on April 13th, the iconic Two Oceans Marathon showcased remarkable performances. Gerda Steyn secured her fifth consecutive victory in the women’s 56km Ultra Marathon with a record-breaking time of 3:26:54, while Onalenna Khonkhobe claimed victory in the men’s division, clocking in at 3:09:30. In the half marathon, Thabang Mosiako and Mokulubete Makatisi took the top spots for men and women, respectively, reinforcing South Africa’s rich tradition of endurance running.

Women Proteas and Sri Lanka Clash

On the cricket pitch, the Women’s Proteas went head-to-head with Sri Lanka in a thrilling ODI series. Despite an extraordinary innings by Laura Wolvaardt, who smashed 184 runs off 147 balls, Sri Lanka triumphed by six wickets, leveling the series at 1-1. The contest showcased some of the finest talent in women’s cricket, with Wolvaardt’s performance standing out as one of the highlights of the month.

AFCON Futsal: The Road to Glory

April also marked the start of the 2024 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, Morocco. The competition featured eight formidable teams, with Morocco, Angola, Egypt, and Libya securing their spots in the knockout stages. The tournament promises to bring more excitement as these top teams battle for continental supremacy.

 South African Nationals: A New Wave of Talent

On the domestic front, April was a major month for South African athletics, with the country hosting its National Championships in swimming and track and field. These competitions brought new talent into the spotlight, with young athletes demonstrating their potential on the national stage. South Africa’s athletic pipeline is looking stronger than ever, as established stars put on impressive performances while the next generation began making their mark.

 Diamond League Season Begins: Lighting Up the Track

The 2024 Diamond League season kicked off in spectacular fashion with two thrilling meets in Xiamen and Suzhou/Shanghai.

• Gudaf Tsegay stole the show in Xiamen, blazing through the 1500m and winning with the third-fastest time ever recorded in the women’s race. The Ethiopian star’s electrifying performance, along with an all-Ethiopian podium, set the tone for the season and reaffirmed her status as one of the top middle-distance runners in the world.
• In Suzhou/Shanghai, South Africa’s Akani Simbine upset former world champions Fred Kerley and Christian Coleman to win the men’s 100m, signaling his return to top form. Slimane Moula of Algeria displayed dominance in the 800m, clocking in at 1:44.55, while Selemon Barega, the Olympic champion, reigned supreme in the 5000m with an impressive time of 12:55.68. Beatrice Chepkoech, the steeplechase world record holder, added to the African victories by securing another win in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:07.36.

Basketball Africa League (BAL) & Kalahari Conference: Strengthening Partnerships

In April, the Kalahari Conference of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) continued to showcase the rise of basketball in Africa.

Our team actively engaged in the conference, building partnerships and expanding our network in the sport. We launched a groundbreaking partnership with the Cape Town Tigers, one of Africa’s premier basketball teams, marking a new era of collaboration.

Additionally, we began a dedicated BAL blog, providing live coverage and insights from each game.

This partnership and our blog reflect our commitment to elevating basketball in Africa and bringing fans closer to the action. The league is quickly gaining traction, and the future of African basketball looks brighter than ever.

 Athlete Profiles and App Growth: Expanding the Community

Behind the scenes, our platform continued its steady growth in April. Focusing on talent from the African Games, we identified and added over 700 athletes to our database bringing our digital athlete profiles up to 3 775.

Next Up: May’s Thrilling Achievements in the Celebrating 2024 Campaign

April’s achievements were nothing short of spectacular, but the journey doesn’t stop here!

DOWNLOAD the Podium Pursuit Fan App and stay connected for all the latest updates and live coverage. Stay tuned for next week’s article as we dive into the unforgettable moments from May.

The Celebrating 2024 Campaign continues to shine a spotlight on African excellence in sports, and we can’t wait to share more inspiring stories with you!

Brought to you by

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.