South African middle-distance runner Tshepo Tshite broke the country’s indoor 3000m record on Tuesday night at the Czech Indoor Gala in Ostrava.
Tshite finished second in the race in 7:38.17, improving on the previous South African mark of 7:39.55 set by Elroy Gelant in Belgium in February 2014.
The race was won by Portugal’s Isaac Nader, who crossed the line in 7:38.05. Tshite was just 0.12 seconds behind him.
The 29-year-old Tshite now holds four South African national records. In addition to the indoor 3000m mark, he is also the national record holder in the indoor 1500m (3:35.06), outdoor 1500m (3:31.35) and the indoor mile (3:54.10).
Athletics South Africa (ASA) acting president John Mathane praised Tshite’s performance, describing it as an encouraging early-season result.
“Congratulations to Tshepo, his coaches and support team. It’s a great start for him so early in the season,” said Mathane.
Gelant, whose record stood for nearly nine years, welcomed Tshite’s achievement and said it reflected the continued progress of South African distance running.
“Records are there to be broken, and I’m proud to see Tshepo raising the standard for South African athletics,” said Gelant. “It shows the depth and growth of our distance running.”
Tshite’s performance in Ostrava comes at the start of the European indoor season and positions him well for upcoming international competitions.
The Czech Indoor Gala forms part of the World Athletics Indoor Tour and is regarded as a key early-season meeting for elite athletes.
The only other South African competitor at the meeting, world indoor 800m champion Prudence Sekgodiso, finished seventh in the women’s 800m.
Sekgodiso clocked 2:04.26. The race was won by Ethiopia’s Nigist Getachew in 1:59.98.
