​​​The University of Johannesburg (UJ) athletics team has been crowned 2016 Varsity Athletics champion in Stellenbosch on 7 April, after taking the title from reigning champions University of Pretoria (Tuks). The UJ team bagged the overall series title for the first time, just 94 points clear of the University of Pretoria, which had won the first of the two events in the championship.

UJ had 15 610 points, while Tuks which came second with 15 296. The Noord West University’s Pukke was third with 15 176.

UJ’s Rushwahl Samaai, the South African long jump champion, broke Zark Visser’s previous varsity record (8.16m) with a leap of 8.20m, his season’s best, well clear of fellow Olympic qualifier and UJ teammate Dylon Cotter, who took second place with a best attempt of 7.76m.

A seasoned athlete and a Transport Management student, Samaai led UJ to victory in the second and final Varsity Athletics meeting of the season.

“This is a good benchmark for me going into next week’s national championships (at Coetzenburg Stadium),” said Samaai, who received the Victor Ludorum award.

Samaai has been representing UJ and South Africa well in athletics, both nationally and internationally.

UJ congratulates Samaai and the UJ team for a sterling win and work over the years.