Every time Prudence Sekgodiso (TuksSport High School) steps onto the track to race, she got only one goal, and that is to win.
And on most occasions, she does precisely that. Her positive approach led to her dominating the local under-18 races over 800 metres. Sekgodiso is not sure, but she thinks she might have only been beaten once on the track. She has been equally ruthless in cross country races.
That is why Grade 10-learner has been selected to represent South Africa at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina (6-10 October).
A definite highlight for her was winning the 800 metres at the South African Junior and Youth Championships. Her breakthrough race was in March when she competed at the Liquid Telecom Grand Prix Meeting in Roodepoort. Racing against the likes of Caster Semenya she finished fifth in 2:06.96.
Semenya (1:54.25) and Gina Lofstrand are the only two local 800m-athletes to have run faster times this season.
The TuksSport High School athlete also won a bronze medal during the African Youth Games in Algiers but is honest in her assessment of her race.
“It was not a good race. My time was certainly nothing to get excited about. Running 2 minutes 10 seconds is bad,” said Sekgodiso promising to be faster at the Games.
“I think I am capable of at least running 2 minutes 04 seconds.”
If she does, it could mean that she could end up being one of the top eight 800m athletes at the Games. So far this season only eight youth athletes in the world have managed to dip under 2 minutes 05 seconds.
The twins, Thobile and Thulisile Amon, who are her regular training partners confidently predict that she will run the time she is aiming for.
“We might be in matric, but Prudence is a role model to us. It is inspiring to train with her and to see her race,” said Thobile Amon.
Being twins, they can’t help but complete each other sentences or often interrupting the other when “singing” Sekgodiso’s praises.
“Nothing seems to faze Prudence. What happens happened she is never one to wonder what could have been. When she has a bad race, she immediately puts it behind her. All that matters is the next time she has to race better,” said Thulisile Amon.
Thobile Amon hastily adds that Sekgodiso does not allow herself to be intimidated.
“We have been privy to hear athletes making bold predictions before a race as to the times they intend to run. Prudence will just listen, saying nothing. It is like let’s go race and see if you can do what you are saying you are going to do. And then she outruns them.”
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