The TuksSport High School athletes certainly made their presence felt during last week’s Africa Junior and Youth Championships in Abidjan winning three gold medals. 

Senesispo Dambile continued the proud legacy set by his predecessors Clarence Munyai and Gift Leotlela (former Athletics Foundation Trust athletes) by winning the 200m in 20.51s. His winning time is a new South African youth record. More importantly, however, is that it is one of the fastest times ever by an under-18 athlete. It ranks him amongst the top ten on the IAAF-list and led to him receiving the Best Athlete of the Meeting-award. 

He was not the only sprinter to excel. Thabang Hlohlolo who is also sponsored by the Athletics Foundation Trust was victorious in the under-18 boys final. He was clocked at 10.61s.

It is still early days, but it would seem as Prudence Sekgodiso might just be the next real deal in South African women’s middle distance racing. She won the 800m junior race in a time of 2:07.03 but was faster in the heats clocking 2:05.06. She is actually still an under-18-athlete.

What is exciting about Sekgodiso is that she genuinely does not seem to be fazed by whom she is racing against. When the TuksSport High School athlete lines up to compete, she believes she can win. Whoever wants to beat her will always have their work cut out to prevent her from doing so.

She could cause a surprise over the weekend when competing in the 800 metres during the South African Championships. If she can come close to running 2:03.98 which is her personal best there is a real chance that she could win a medal.