Nelson Mandela Bay sprint sensation Luxolo Adams will be itching to put his European experiences to the test when he represents South Africa at the Athletics World Cup in London next month.
Adams, who is still overseas preparing for his second Diamond League meeting in Paris this weekend, said: “It is still sinking in, but I am very happy to have been selected.
“This will be a big opportunity for me to showcase my talents to the world.”
Athletics South Africa excellence manager and former SA track star Hezekiel Sepeng said Adams would take part in the 200m event and be in line for a spot in the 4x100m relay.
Adams said: “My mindset is simply to use this chance as a breakthrough in my career.
“These are usually the platforms where athletes leave their mark and if I can do that who knows what could happen in future.”
Sepeng said SA star Clarence Munyai had withdrawn from the team as a result of injury.
He said the fact that Adams was a national champion in the 200m had been a major factor in his selection.
Adams’s performances had been good, particularly this year at the SA championships in Pretoria, where he ran a 20.08 to claim gold.
He did well in the Liquid Telecom Athletics Grand Prix series meetings, claiming a third place at the Johannesburg leg of the event with a 20.45, before setting a new personal best across the distance later that month, when he ran a blistering 20.01 in Paarl.
Adams, coming off the back of his first Diamond League meeting in Stockholm on June 10, was also invited to compete at the Paris Diamond League, which gets under way on Saturday.
“My first Diamond League experience was fantastic except for the lane in which I ran,” he chuckled.
“All I did ahead of that race was pray that I could execute my plans well.
“I think my first three races in Europe really made an impact on me, and I hope to build on this going forward.
“These races on the international circuit have helped to build my mental fitness and made me realise how important discipline is.”
Despite finishing third in Stockholm, Adams was confident he could improve on that result at the Paris meeting and said he would stop at nothing to showcase his talents to the world on Saturday.