Celebrating African Athletes’ Excellence: January 2025 Highlights

As we step into the excitement of 2025, it’s time to take a moment to celebrate the outstanding achievements of African athletes who have shone brightly on the world stage throughout January. Each month, we will continue to showcase Africa’s iconic and most remarkable sporting moments, and January has set the bar high. From marathon glory in Marrakech to world-class performances on the track and field, let’s relive some of the incredible achievements from this month!

Marathon Glory in Marrakech

The 2025 Marrakech International Marathon was an unforgettable event that saw African athletes dominate the competition. Kenya’s Alfonce Kibiwott Kigen and Ethiopia’s Beyene Tirfi Tsegaye etched their names in marathon history with stunning victories.

Kigen, known for his tactical brilliance and unwavering endurance, broke away from the pack at the 20km mark and crossed the line with a personal best time, securing his place as one of the world’s top long-distance runners. His win in Marrakech followed his triumph at the 2023 Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon, proving his consistency and prowess on the global stage. 

Moroccan athletes Soufiyane Bouquantar and Omar Aït Chitachen secured second and third place, respectively.

On the women’s side, Ethiopia’s Tsegaye was in a class of her own, crossing the finish line with a commanding time of 2 hours 25 minutes and 44 seconds. Morocco’s Oumaïma Saoud followed with a strong second-place finish, while Ethiopia’s Bekele Abebech rounded out the top three. 

African Athletes Excel at Astana World Indoor Tour

The Astana World Athletics Indoor Gold Tour provided a thrilling platform for African athletes to showcase their talents, and Ethiopia led the charge with some unforgettable performances. 

In the women’s 3000m short track, Marta Alemayo captured gold in a remarkable race, leading an all-Ethiopian podium with Shito Gumi and Axumawit Embaye taking silver and bronze, respectively.

In the men’s events, Ethiopian Abdulkerim Teki sprinted to a silver medal in the 1500m short track, showcasing his stamina and precision. 

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie added to Africa’s success by clinching bronze in the men’s 400m short track final, solidifying his reputation as one of the continent’s top sprinters. 

These stellar performances reaffirmed Africa’s dominance in track and field, making the continent proud on the global stage.

Blitzboks Shine, Shujaa Fight Hard at Perth Sevens

January also brought intense rugby action from the Perth Sevens, where Africa’s rugby giants displayed incredible skill and determination. 

South Africa’s Blitzboks reached the semifinals in a dramatic tournament, where they showed unmatched grit and teamwork. 

In a nail-biting semifinal against host nation Australia, the Blitzboks fought hard, with Selvyn Davids scoring two tries to give South Africa a 12-7 lead. 

However, in a heart-stopping extra-time finish, Australia clinched victory with a try from Aden Ekanayake, ending the match 17-12. Despite the loss, the Blitzboks’ resilience and team spirit were a source of pride for fans across Africa.

Kenya’s Shujaa also displayed remarkable passion in the tournament, finishing 10th. Their most exciting match came in the 9th-place final against New Zealand, where they held a 12-7 halftime lead thanks to tries from Patrick Odongo and Vincent Onyala. 

But despite their valiant effort, New Zealand mounted a strong comeback, ultimately winning 19-12. The Kenyan team’s determination was commendable, and their performance was an inspiration to rugby fans throughout the continent.

Photo:@BlitzbokkeIG

Cycling Success at the Tour Down Under and Sharjah Tour

African cyclists continued to impress on the global stage, with Eritrea’s Natnael Tesfazion and Henok Mulubrhan showing their mettle at the Tour Down Under. 

Tesfazion maintained his consistency, finishing 19th in the General Classification, while Mulubrhan earned a Top 15 finish on Stage 4. Representing Movistar and XDS Astana, both athletes displayed exceptional resilience throughout the demanding stages, reaffirming Eritrea’s growing prominence in the world of cycling.

Meanwhile, at the Sharjah Tour, African cyclists showcased their skill and determination. Rwanda’s Mugisha, South Africa’s Gordge, and Morocco’s Elkouraji all finished within the Top 20 in the General Classification, with seven African riders securing spots in the Top 30. 

Their performances made Africa proud and demonstrated the rise of African cycling talent on the international stage.

Celebrating Excellence at the ASA Awards

The Athletics South Africa Awards were a night of celebration, as the country’s athletics community gathered to honor its top achievers. Akani Simbine, South Africa’s premier sprinter, was a standout, taking home both the ASA Male Athlete of the Year and Male Track Athlete of the Year awards. Prudence Sekgodiso earned the prestigious title of ASA Athlete Personality of the Year, while Tumi Ramokgopa and Njabulo Mbatha were recognized as the Rising Stars of the Year. Jo-ane Van Dyk’s exceptional performance earned her the ASA Female Athlete of the Year award, and Victor Hogan was crowned ASA Male Field Athlete of the Year. The ASA Awards served as a testament to South Africa’s enduring excellence and strength in athletics, celebrating the remarkable talent and achievements of its athletes.

Photo: @ASA

Prudence Sekgodiso Shatters South African Indoor Record at Belgrade Indoor Meet

In a spectacular display of speed and skill, South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso shattered the South African Indoor 800m record at the Belgrade Indoor Meeting. 

Sekgodiso obliterated the previous mark, crossing the line in a blazing 2:02.30, slicing a remarkable 3.75 seconds off the previous record. 

Chidi Okezie from Nigeria clinched the gold in the Men’s 400m, while Morocco’s Anass Essayi triumphed in the Men’s 1500m. 

His fellow competitor, Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang from Kenya, took the silver in the same event. Morocco’s Assia Raziki also impressed by winning gold in the Women’s 800m. Ethiopia’s Meseret Yeshaneh was another standout, taking gold in the Women’s 3000m. 

Photo: @officialteamrsa

Davis Cup Play-Offs: African Nations Show Grit

The 2025 Davis Cup World Group II Play-offs delivered gripping action as African nations competed fiercely for global tennis supremacy. In a thrilling contest, Benin secured a 3-2 victory over Latvia in a tightly contested tie. 

The team showed incredible resilience, clinching the win in the final match to secure their place in the next round.

Morocco, on the other hand, delivered a dominant performance, sweeping Zimbabwe 4-0 in a statement win. Their impressive display confirmed their status as a formidable force in African tennis.

South Africa also emerged victorious, overcoming Nigeria 3-1 in a clash of continental giants. The South Africans controlled the tie from start to finish, securing their place in the next round. Namibia fought valiantly in a closely contested tie against Hong Kong but narrowly lost 2-3, showcasing their competitive spirit despite the setback.

Vitality Netball Nations Cup: South Africa Steals the Show

The Vitality Netball Nations Cup has seen thrilling battles unfold, with South Africa making a bold statement in the tournament. 

On Day 1, the South African team dominated Uganda with a commanding 70-45 victory, setting the tone for the competition. England also delivered a strong performance, defeating Malawi 62-36 in their opener.

In a highly anticipated showdown on February 2nd, South Africa faced off against England in a nail-biting clash. The match ended with South Africa edging past England 61-59 in a thrilling final, sealing a dramatic victory in the dying moments. 

As the tournament progresses, the action is only getting more intense, and fans are eagerly awaiting the final weekend, set to take place on February 8th and 9th. 

January has been a month of incredible achievements for African athletes, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds. 

From record-breaking performances in athletics to fierce competition in rugby, tennis, cycling, and netball, Africa has proven once again that it is a force to be reckoned with on the world stage. 

These accomplishments are a testament to the unwavering determination, skill, and resilience of African athletes. Let’s continue to celebrate their successes and support them as they pave the way for a bright future in sports!

Stay up to date with all the latest results, fixtures, and athlete news by downloading the Podium Pursuit app. Together, let’s celebrate the greatness of African sports!

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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.