Ryan Mphalelele targets SA 1 500m record after qualifying for World Championships

Mphahlele clocked 03:32:90 to win the Cape Milers Invitational at Green Point Stadium on Monday to book his ticket to Budapest, Hungary, in August.

The 24-year-old beat the fastest time on South African soil of 3:33:87 set by Johan Fourie in Stellenbosch in 1987, and was ecstatic at achieving the milestone.

"I thought I would qualify for the World Championships at the Nationals in Potchefstroom, but I had a disappointing race finishing in third place," said Mphahlele.

"God’s timing is perfect, and I feel on top of the world. I can’t believe I ran the fastest time at home. The race was about time, and I nailed it. I am a tactical runner, but I focused on running fast."

Johan Cronje is South Africa's overall 1 500m record-holder with a time of 3:31:93, which he set in Rieti, Italy, back in September 2013, but Mphahlele is looking to eclipse that.

"My focus now has shifted towards attempting the SA record. I am in a good space and can do it. I wanted to get the “Big Fish” of qualifying for the World Championships, and I did it in style,” he stated.

SA 1 500m champion Tshepo Tshite (26) also ran a qualifying time finishing in second place behind Mphahlele in 03:33:90, beating the qualifying time of 3:34:20 set by World Athletics.

Mphahlele is currently still in Cape Town, preparing for the One Mile Championships on Monday night, and he is also targeting qualification to the World Mile Championships in Riga, Latvia, later this year.

“I decided to stay and prepare for the street mile. I am starting to enjoy the 1,6km race. I can qualify, if I stick to my game plan,” he concluded.