When Njabulo Mbatha of TuksAthletics Academy steps into the starting blocks for the 400m hurdles in Cape Town tomorrow, one thing is sure: he will not be running to finish second at the 2025 ASA U16/U18/U20/U23 National Championships in Cape Town.

"I am a fierce competitor by nature. Even playing games with friends, I want to be the best," said the TuksSport High School learner-athlete supported by the Athletics Cycling Education Trust. 

Local athletics fans first took notice of the young athlete's competitive spirit at last year’s South African Senior Athletics Championships in Pietermaritzburg. On his 17th birthday, he made history by becoming the youngest South African to medal in a senior 400m hurdles final. Clocking an impressive 49.57 seconds, his time ranked as the second-fastest in the world for a U18 athlete last year.

Mbatha is unapologetic about his love for competing against older, more experienced athletes—a challenge he embraces with confidence

Early this month, during the first Grand Prix Meeting at Pilditch, he outperformed his older competitors, winning the 400 m hurdles in a personal best time of 49.40 seconds, which at the time was the fastest time in the world. Mbatha believes he is capable of being even quicker. Dipping under 49 seconds is a realistic goal, but he is not obsessed about running specific times. 

"The only thing that matters when I race is to be focused on my race and execute my technique to perfection. My best traits as a hurdler are my speed, endurance, and ability to switch legs during a race. I can lead with both legs over the hurdles and not lose speed. It is a huge advantage coming into the home straight.

"What excites me when competing against older, established runners is knowing they bring their A-game to the race, as they don't want to be beaten by youngsters. It is what brings the competitor in me to the fore. I like the challenge of testing myself against the best."

Last year, during the South African junior championships, Mbatha won gold in the under-18 400 m hurdles race. He capped a brilliant season when he formed part of South Africa's 4x400m relay team and won a silver medal at the World Athletics U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru. 

Athletics was not always the young man's great passion.

"When I was in high school in Durban, I was a keen rugby player. I played as a winger. I did athletics to improve my speed for rugby. It helped because I got selected for the Sharks under-15 Rising Stars team. What decided things for me in the end was that I was starting to win more and more races. 

"I still watch a lot of rugby, but I do not like any specific team. I enjoy good rugby. It does not matter who plays."

In a season when competing, Mbatha's favourite pastime is sleeping. 

"I believe that when you sleep, you give your body time to recover. Out of season, I love to play basketball with my friends."