Rivalries between female athletes competing in the same event are rare in South African athletics, but that might change in three weeks in Potchefstroom.
It will be the first time in some time that two athletes who have dipped under two minutes will compete in the 800 metres at the South Africa Championships. Prudence Sekgodiso, coached by Samuel Sepeng (Tuks), is currently the world’s fastest, clocking 1:58.40. Charne Swart (Tuks) set a best time earlier this year, running 1:59.45.
The hammer throw is another event to watch. In March, during the second Grand Prix meeting in Johannesburg, Leandri Holtzhausen set a new South African record with a throw of 67.95 metres. But she might not have it all her own during the national champs, as the Tuks medical student Colette Uys set a new personal best in February, throwing 65.84 metres. It could be the first time two athletes throwing over 65 metres compete at SA’s.
Then there is the 400 metres. It could be a humdinger. Four athletes capable of running times faster than 52 seconds will compete. Zeney Geldenhuys (51.26s), Marlie Viljoen (51.42s), and Shirley Nekhubui (51.42s) did so last month. Miranda Coetzee set a best time last year, running 50.66s. In March, the four broke the 4×400 m relay record that had stood for the previous nine years, running 3 minutes 28.30.
The Tuks Alumni, Viljoen, has threatened to make a big breakthrough for a few years; 2025 might be the year she does it. The 51.42 seconds she clocked in March is not only a personal best, it means she would be one of the 75 fastest athletes in the world over 400 for the last five years. Viljoen believes she is capable of being even quicker.
“It’s still early in the season. We haven’t even started to peak yet. There are a few reasons why I was able to run such a fast time so early. I trained with Charne Swart on her 800m program in the off-season. It helps a lot with endurance and gives me mental strength. The 400 now feels easy to run 400 meters. In 2022, when I did the same, in 2023, I ran a time of 51.81 seconds,” said the former World Students 400m champion.
“Last year was challenging. I was hampered by various injuries. I also made the mistake of focusing too much on statistics, putting myself under unnecessary pressure. After every race, I was unhappy with how I was running. It felt like I wasn’t giving it my all. Identifying at least ten mistakes I made during a race was easy.
“Luckily, it has changed. I’m no longer afraid to race hard until the end. Working full-time definitely helps. I’m in a routine. The work and athletics complement each other. I am more focused at work when I have trained on the track. On the days I don’t train, I feel this guilt. It makes me feel like I haven’t accomplished what I should have. The best is that I no longer put so much pressure on myself. I run to enjoy it. With every race, it’s a case of, “Let’s see what I’m capable of.”
