ProTouch Africa Podium Pursuit

 
 
The PROTOUCH AFRICA Podium Pursuit Series, shines a spotlight on the remarkable talent of African athletes who are making their mark on the world stage. From the tracks to the field - and everywhere in between - these athletes from Africa are ambassadors of their nations, embodying the spirit of determination, resilience and excellence. Host Tanaka Mhundwa celebrates their achievements, delves into their journeys and explores the inspiring stories behind their pursuit of podium glory. DOWNLOAD our Fan App to catch all the latest results, scores and news about African Athletes on the World stage.
 
 

The new year comes with new achievements in sports. We have a look at the new achievements in January.
 

  • Marathon Glory: Kenya shone at the NYC Marathon, with Sheila Chepkirui winning her debut race and an all-Kenyan women's podium. Abdi Nageeye claimed victory in the men’s event.
  • Zambia Triumphs: Zambia won the COSAFA Women’s Championship in a penalty shootout against South Africa, with Barbara Banda named Female Sports Personality of the Year.
  • Netball Success: Uganda earned bronze and South Africa placed fourth at the Fast5 Netball World Cup, showcasing Africa's rising talent.
  • Springboks Unbeaten: South Africa dominated the Autumn Series with wins over Scotland, England, and Wales, remaining the world’s top rugby team.
  • Record Breaker: Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo set a new 15km world record, highlighting African excellence in athletics.
 

  • Swimming: Pieter Coetze dominated the Swimming World Cup, winning 7 golds, 2 silvers, and 2 bronzes.
  • Netball: SPAR Proteas crushed Malawi 69-24, with key performances from Refiloe Nketsa (MVP) and Kamogelo Maseko (Player of the Tournament).
  • Cricket: South Africa’s women reached the World Cup final but fell short against New Zealand after beating Australia.
  • Canoeing: South Africa excelled at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships with multiple gold medals.
  • Marathons: Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich and John Korir won gold in Chicago, while Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha set a world record in Valencia.
 

  • World U20 Athletics Championships: Africa’s young stars excelled, with Ethiopia and Kenya leading in middle- and long-distance events. South Africa shone in sprints and relays, with Bayanda Walaza winning double gold in the 100m and 200m.
  • Diamond League Final: African athletes dominated, highlighted by Faith Kipyegon’s 1500m meeting record, Emmanuel Wanyonyi’s 800m win, and Beatrice Chebet’s 5,000m record-breaking performance.
  • Marathon Magic: Ethiopia and Kenya triumphed at the Sydney and Berlin Marathons, with record-breaking wins by Milkesa Mengesha, Tigist Ketema, and Workenesh Edesa.
  • Rugby Championship: The Springboks reclaimed the title with commanding victories, solidifying their standing ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
  • MTB World Championship: South Africa’s Alan Hatherly won gold in cross-country and bronze in XCC, marking a historic moment for African cycling.
 

  • Paris Olympics: Africa won 39 medals; Kenya led with Faith Kipyegon’s historic 1500m gold and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo claimed a first-ever 200m gold.
  • Paralympics: Morocco led with 15 medals; record-breaking wins included South Africa’s Mpumelelo Mhlongo in long jump and Morocco’s Fatima El Idrissi in the T12 marathon.
  • Diamond League: Wins by Letsile Tebogo, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, and Mary Moraa highlighted African track and field dominance.
  • UFC 305: South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis won an all-African middleweight title bout against Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya.
  • Rugby Championship: South Africa took the championship title, building momentum for the World Cup.
 

  • Swimming World Cup: South Africa’s Pieter Coetze dominated backstroke events, winning seven golds across three stops. South Africa concluded the series with a strong 18-medal haul.
  • Netball SPAR Challenge: South Africa’s Proteas swept Malawi in a 3-0 series, with standout performances from Refiloe Nketsa (MVP) and Kamogelo Maseko (Player of the Tournament).
  • New York City Marathon: Kenyan runners excelled with Sheila Chepkirui winning the women’s race and Evans Chebet taking second in the men’s race, showcasing Kenya’s marathon prowess.
  • COSAFA Women’s Championship: Zambia edged South Africa in a tense penalty shootout, securing the championship title, with Jessica Williams of South Africa earning the Golden Award.
  • Upcoming Events: November features the CAF Women’s Champions League, Rugby Africa Women’s 7s, and Rugby Championships as African athletes continue to compete globally.
 

  • FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament: Cameroon reached the Semi-Finals, defeating Brazil before losing to Latvia.
  • Paris Diamond League: Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) broke her 1500m world record, and Djamel Sedjati (Algeria) led the 800m with a world-best time.
  • Monaco Diamond League: Tebogo Letsile (Botswana) won the 200m, and Margaret Akidor (Kenya) set a personal best in the 5000m.
  • London Diamond League: Akani Simbine (South Africa) placed second in the 100m.
  • Springboks Rugby: South Africa won two of three July Test matches, including victories over Australia and Argentina.
  • Athlete Ambassador Akani Simbine: Joined as an ambassador, sharing exclusive content with fans.

Paris 2024 Campaign Launch: The campaign highlighted achievements, including:
  • South Africa’s Rugby Sevens team earning bronze.
  • Fares Ferjani (Tunisia) and Mohamed Elsayed (Egypt) medaling in fencing.
  • Barbara Banda’s record in women’s soccer.
  • Tatjana Schoenmaker’s gold in swimming.
 

  • 23rd CAA Africa Senior Championships: South Africa reclaimed the African athletics title with 19 medals, including nine gold, securing their spot as the top team for the first time since 2016.
  • Rugby Union: The Springboks opened their Test season with a dominant 41-13 victory over Wales, showcasing their readiness for the Rugby World Cup.
  • our de France: Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay made history as the first Black cyclist to win a stage, securing multiple stage victories and the green jersey for best sprinter.
  • ICC T20 World Cup: South Africa reached the final, putting up a brave fight before narrowly losing to India.
  • Stockholm Diamond League: African athletes excelled with wins in the 100m, 800m, and 3000m steeplechase, further solidifying their dominance in track and field.
  • New Partnerships: Akani Simbine joined as an athlete ambassador, and the #Paris2024 blog launched to provide comprehensive Olympic coverage.
 

Summary:
  • ITTF Africa Cup: Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s Dina Meshref claimed the men’s and women’s singles titles, with Aruna’s dominant 4-0 win marking a powerful comeback.
  • Diamond League & World Athletics Relays: African athletes excelled, with wins by Kenya’s Mary Moraa (800m), Beatrice Chebet (5000m), and Botswana's relay team securing gold and Olympic qualification for Paris 2024.
  • Rugby Africa Women’s Cup: South Africa’s women’s rugby team won the tournament, earning a spot in the World Cup, while Kenya defeated Cameroon.
  • Basketball Africa League (BAL): Petro de Luanda made history as the first sub-Saharan team to win the BAL Championship, defeating Al Ahly Ly.
  • Giro d’Italia: Eritrean cyclists Henok Mulubrahn and Biniam Girmay impressed, with Girmay achieving a Top 3 finish in Stage 3 before withdrawing due to a crash.
  • Conclusion: Stay tuned for June’s highlights as the Celebrating 2024 Campaign continues, showcasing Africa’s finest athletes! Download the Podium Pursuit app for more updates.
 

  • Wanyonyi's Record: Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi set a world record in the road mile (3:54.56).
  • Marathon Wins: Hellen Obiri (Boston) and Gerda Steyn (Two Oceans) led African marathon victories.
  • Diamond League: Gudaf Tsegay, Akani Simbine, and Slimane Moula secured key wins in track events.
  • Women’s Cricket: Laura Wolvaardt’s 184 runs shined in the Proteas’ ODI series vs. Sri Lanka.
  • Basketball: The Basketball Africa League (BAL) Kalahari Conference continued with new partnerships.
  • Platform Growth: Over 700 new athlete profiles were added to the Podium Pursuit app.
 

  • Introduction: March showcased Africa's exceptional talent, with record - breaking victories at the Africa Games, World Indoor Championship and Tokyo Marathon,
  • African Games: Egypt dominated with 193 medals, followed by Nigeria with 121, and South Africa with 106. Athletes shined across various disciplines, including athletics, swimming, and rugby.
  • World Indoor Championships: African athletes secured 8 medals (3 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze), continuing their track and field dominance on the global stage.
  • Tokyo Marathon: African long - distance runners excelled once again, cementing their place as world leaders in marathon racing.
  • Basketball African League (BAL): The Kalahari Conference saw FUS de Rabat and Petro de Luanda secure spots in the BAL playoff after thrilling matchups in Pretoria.
  • Platform Growth: 560 new athlete profiles were added, reaching a total of 3,075. Notable interviews included Cape Town Tigers' vice - captain and other standout athletes.
  • Conclusion: Stay connect the Podium Pursuit app for April's highlights and more record - breaking performance from Africa's top athletes.
 

  • Introduction: February delivered jaw-dropping performances from African athletes, with record-breaking achievements across various sports.
  • World Aquatics Championships: South Africa’s Pieter Coetzee earned bronze in backstroke, while Egypt’s Maha Eissa won bronze in butterfly, marking significant moments for African swimming.
  • Classic Shoot Out: Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo set a world record in the 100m, while South Africa’s Akani Simbine claimed gold with a new national record in sprinting. Viwe Jinhqi shined with a gold medal and a national record in hurdles.
  • Tour du Rwanda: African cyclists impressed in one of the continent’s toughest races, with local riders showcasing endurance and determination across challenging routes.
  • AFCON: Our AFCON blog provided live updates and exclusive content, continuing to be a go-to platform for football fans across Africa.
  • Other Events: African athletes excelled in cycling, tennis, swimming, and rugby sevens, further proving their versatility and dominance on the global stage.
  • Conclusion: As February wrapped up, African athletes continued to impress, and our platform’s growth reflected the excitement. Stay tuned for March’s thrilling highlights by downloading the Podium Pursuit app!
 

  • Introduction: Kicking off the celebrating 2024 campaign, January brought outstanding achievements from African athletes across various sports.
  • Dubai Marathon: Ethiopian athletes dominated both the men’s and women’s races, with multiple podium finishes, including a world record.
  • Valencia 10km Marathon: Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich set a new world record, with African runners sweeping the podium.
  • Mumbai Marathon & Gangwon Youth Olympics: African athletes claimed gold in both men’s and women’s races in Mumbai, while Tunisia secured Africa’s first-ever silver medal in bobsleigh at the Youth Olympics.
  • Meeting de l’Eure: African athletes earned 4 golds, 2 silvers, and 3 bronze medals across multiple disciplines.
  • Hockey5s World Cup: South Africa’s women’s team made a historic 4th place finish, supported by a successful crowdfunding campaign.
  • Platform Growth: January saw the expansion of the athlete profile database, new partnerships, and growth in app users.
  • Conclusion: Stay tuned for February’s recap as part of the Celebrating 2024 Campaign!
 

  • Introduction: The 2024 Diamond League season finale in Brussels highlighted the dominance of African athletes, who secured a total of 7 gold, 7 silver, and 7 bronze medals.
  • Day 1 Highlights:
  • African athletes claimed 3 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
  • Key victories in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, men’s 5000m, and women’s 800m.
  • Strong podium finishes in men’s 1500m, women’s 100m, and men’s 400m.
  • Day 2 Highlights:
  • African athletes won 4 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals.
  • Dominance in women’s steeplechase, men’s 200m, and women’s 1500m.
  • Notable performances in men’s triple jump, men’s 800m, and women’s 5000m.
  • Conclusion: The event capped a remarkable season, with African athletes demonstrating their strength and setting the stage for future success.
 

  • Introduction: Tanaka Mhundwa wraps up the 2024 Paralympic Games, celebrating African athletes' standout performances.
  • Morocco: Topped the African medal tally with 15 medals, excelling in athletics and setting a world record in the women’s marathon.
  • Algeria & Tunisia: Both nations secured 11 medals each, with strong performances in athletics and para-judo.
  • Nigeria & Egypt: Powerhouses in powerlifting, each taking home 7 medals and breaking records.
  • South Africa: Secured 6 medals, including world records in the long jump and the 200m.
  • Other Nations: Ethiopia, Namibia, Kenya, and Mauritius delivered notable performances, showcasing their growing presence in Paralympic sports.
  • Closing: African athletes broke records and made history, marking a triumphant showing at the games. Stay updated on Paralympic news via the Podium Pursuit app.
 

  • Introduction: Host Tanaka Mhundwa provides a weekly wrap-up of major sporting events involving African athletes.
  • Rugby: South Africa secured a crucial 31-27 win against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship, keeping their lead in the tournament.
  • World U20 Athletics Championships: African countries excelled, with Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa leading the medal count. Highlights included victories in sprints, middle-distance, and relay events.
  • Diamond League: African athletes dominated in Rome and Zurich, with impressive wins in the 100m, 1500m, and 5000m races, among others.
  • Paralympic Games: Tunisia leads the African medal tally, followed by Morocco, Algeria, and South Africa. African athletes continue to showcase their strength and resilience.
  • Closing: Listeners are encouraged to follow the ongoing Paralympic Games and upcoming sports action via the Podium Pursuit Fan App.
 

  • Introduction: Tanaka Mhundwa celebrates the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympics and the achievements of African para-athletes.
  • Paralympic Games Overview: 4,400 athletes will compete for 549 medals across 22 sports, showcasing the strength and resilience of athletes with disabilities.
  • Africa’s Paralympic Growth: African countries have become major forces in para-sports, with notable success in previous Paralympic Games.
  • Key African Contenders: Countries like Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa are expected to deliver strong performances.
  • Rising Stars: This episode highlights emerging African athletes poised to break records and inspire future generations.
  • Closing: This episode emphasizes African unity and support for the continent's Paralympic athletes, encouraging listeners to follow their journey.
 

  • Introduction: Tanaka Mhundwa highlights African athletes' success at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
  • Medal Tally: African nations won 39 medals across 12 countries.
  • Women’s Achievements: The podcast celebrates outstanding performances by African female athletes in various sports, breaking records and setting new milestones.
  • Men’s Achievements: African male athletes excelled in track events, marathon, and other disciplines, earning historic victories.
  • Relay Success: Africa achieved podium finishes in both men's and women’s relay events, setting new records.
  • Diaspora Athletes: African-born athletes competing for other nations contributed additional medals, bringing the total to 51 for Africa.
  • This episode calls for further investment in African sports to continue building on this success.