South African distance running sensation Gerda Steyn once again proved why she is regarded as one of the greatest athletes in the history of the Comrades Marathon, producing a dominant performance to secure her fifth title in the prestigious ultramarathon on Sunday.

The marathon star delivered a masterclass over the challenging 85.77-kilometre “Up Run” route from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, crossing the finish line well ahead of her rivals and rewriting the record books in the process.

Steyn completed the gruelling journey in an unofficial time of 5:44:53, eclipsing the previous “Up Run” record of 5:49:46 that she herself had established during last year’s race. Her latest achievement further cements her reputation as one of the finest long-distance runners South Africa has ever produced.

Nicknamed the “Smiling Assassin” for her ability to combine a calm, cheerful demeanour with relentless competitiveness, Steyn looked in complete control from the early stages of the race. She set a strong pace from the outset and never appeared under pressure as she steadily extended her lead over the chasing pack.

The victory comes just weeks after Steyn achieved another remarkable milestone by winning the Two Oceans Marathon for a seventh consecutive time. Despite concerns that the demanding race schedule could take a toll on her performance, the South African star showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, she delivered one of the most impressive runs of her illustrious career.

Throughout the race, Steyn demonstrated exceptional endurance, tactical awareness and mental strength as she navigated the notorious hills and demanding terrain that have made the Comrades Marathon one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world. Her consistent pace and flawless execution left little doubt about the eventual winner long before she reached the finish line.

Behind her, fellow South African runner Nobukhosi Tshuma produced a strong performance to claim second place. Tshuma crossed the line in 5:53:36, nearly nine minutes behind the champion. Another experienced South African athlete, Irvette van Zyl, completed the podium after finishing third in 6:02:30.

The all-South African podium was a fitting celebration of the country’s strength in women’s distance running and highlighted the depth of talent currently competing on the national stage.

Steyn’s latest triumph places her among the most successful women ever to compete in the iconic race. With five Comrades Marathon victories now to her name, she becomes only the second female athlete in history to reach that milestone. The achievement moves her closer to the record of eight wins held by Russian legend Elena Nurgalieva, a benchmark that once appeared untouchable but is now firmly within sight should Steyn continue her remarkable form in the coming years.

In addition to the historic victory and record-breaking performance, Steyn’s success was rewarded with a substantial financial prize. Her outstanding run earned her a total payout of approximately R2 million, making it one of the most lucrative days of her career.

The prize package included the winner’s purse of R925,000, awarded for taking first place in the women’s race. She also received an additional R605,000 bonus for setting a new course record on the “Up Run” route.

Further rewards came through a R550,000 incentive for improving the fastest average pace ever recorded in the event. Steyn averaged an astonishing 4 minutes and 1 second per kilometre over the entire distance, a remarkable feat considering the demanding climbs and relentless terrain that define the Comrades Marathon.

As South Africans celebrate another unforgettable sporting achievement, Steyn’s latest victory serves as further proof of her extraordinary talent and determination. With five Comrades titles, multiple records and an ever-growing list of accomplishments, she has firmly established herself as one of the greatest athletes in the history of the race and a true icon of South African sport.

A nine-year-old South African chess talent, Thandeka Mokoena, is set to compete on the global stage after a successful crowdfunding campaign raised R105,000 to support her participation in an upcoming international tournament.

The funds, contributed by members of the public and supporters of youth sport, will cover travel, accommodation, coaching support, and tournament entry fees. The campaign has been widely praised as a powerful example of community backing stepping in to support emerging talent.

Despite her age, Thandeka has already made a strong impression in local chess circles, regularly competing against and defeating older, more experienced opponents. Coaches describe her as a focused and strategic player with sharp tactical awareness and a calm approach under pressure.

Her rapid rise through school and regional competitions has positioned her as one of the country’s most promising young players. Within development structures, she is increasingly being recognised as a future contender capable of competing at elite levels with the right support and exposure.

The success of the crowdfunding effort highlights a broader challenge within South African chess, where many talented young players struggle to access international platforms due to financial constraints. Travel and tournament costs often limit opportunities, making community-driven funding initiatives critical for development.

Chess officials and supporters have welcomed the initiative, saying early exposure to global competition plays a key role in shaping a player’s growth. Competing internationally allows young players to experience different styles of play, strengthen decision-making skills, and build confidence at higher levels of competition.

The campaign has also sparked widespread support across the chess community, with many praising the public for rallying behind a young athlete and helping to unlock an opportunity that might otherwise have been out of reach.

As she prepares for the international event, the focus will be on gaining experience and continuing her development rather than immediate results. Coaches have emphasised the importance of allowing her to grow naturally while making the most of the exposure.

Thandeka Mokoena’s journey to the global stage, powered by community support, stands as a strong example of how collective effort can help nurture young talent and create opportunities for the next generation of South African competitors.

Brentford 5-3 Wolves. Brentford secured a commanding 5-3 victory over Wolves at the Gtech Community Stadium, capitalizing on a disastrous defensive performance from their opponents. This result marks Brentford’s first Premier League win since August, while Wolves remain winless this season under Gary O’Neil.

Fast Start for Brentford

The game kicked off with a bang, as Brentford took the lead just 75 seconds into the match. Nathan Collins headed in a pinpoint cross from Mikkel Damsgaard, giving the Bees an early advantage for the fourth consecutive game. Wolves, however, responded quickly when Matheus Cunha steered Nelson Semedo’s cutback past Brentford keeper Mark Flekken just two minutes later.

Brentford regained their lead shortly after with a penalty. Mario Lemina fouled Collins in the box, and Bryan Mbeumo stepped up to convert, sending Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone the wrong way. This was Mbeumo’s sixth Premier League goal of the season, further solidifying his impressive form.

Wolves Fight Back, But Brentford Dominate

Wolves refused to back down, equalizing for a second time through Jorgen Strand Larsen, who turned in a low cross from Rayan Ait-Nouri. However, Brentford quickly restored their lead less than 90 seconds later when Christian Norgaard fired a precise shot into the far corner after a pass from Vitaly Janelt.

The home side continued to exploit Wolves’ defensive frailties, with Ethan Pinnock heading in a fourth goal just before halftime from another Damsgaard corner. Pinnock was left completely unmarked, and his header found the back of the net with ease.

Brentford Control the Second Half

In the second half, Brentford remained in control. Johnstone kept Wolves in the game with a couple of impressive saves, including denying Pinnock from another corner and stopping Kevin Schade in a one-on-one situation.

Fabio Carvalho, a second-half substitute, scored Brentford’s fifth goal after Johnstone parried a shot from Keane Lewis-Potter, allowing Carvalho to slot home the rebound. Ait-Nouri grabbed a late consolation for Wolves, but it did little to mask a poor performance from O’Neil’s side.

Wolves’ Defensive Woes Continue

Wolves remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with just one point from seven matches, having conceded a staggering 21 goals in that span. Their defensive vulnerabilities were on full display against Brentford, as poor marking and giveaways led to easy goals for the home team.

The defeat means Wolves have now equaled their worst start to a top-flight season since 1963. Despite positive moments in attack, including goals from Cunha and Larsen, their defensive frailties overshadowed any potential progress.

Brentford Climb Into Top Half

For Brentford, this win was a much-needed boost. After tough outings against Manchester City, Tottenham, and West Ham, the Bees finally capitalized on their early pressure and converted chances into goals. Their relentless attacking left Wolves struggling to cope, and Brentford’s well-deserved win moves them into the top half of the Premier League table.

Head coach Thomas Frank will be pleased with his team’s resilience, especially after Wolves responded twice in the first half. Brentford’s ability to keep pushing forward and maintain their offensive pressure throughout the game was key to their success.

What’s Next?

Wolves will need to regroup quickly, as they remain in search of their first win of the season. O’Neil will likely focus on shoring up their defense ahead of their next fixture. Meanwhile, Brentford will look to build on this momentum as they continue their Premier League campaign, hoping to maintain their attacking flair and climb further up the table.

source – BBC