Tuks athletes hope to win several medals at the World Student Games again

Any sports journalist knows that one of the biggest mistakes to make is to make predictions in advance about who might win.

There is a good reason why it is said that races or matches are not won on paper. But as with everything, there are exceptions. It can now already be said with certainty that there will be more than one Tuks athlete standing on the winners' podium next month in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, during the World Student Games. The statistics of the 2023 Games backs this up. South Africa won 20 medals. Tuks's contribution to the medal tally was 11.

Three of the Tuks athletes who won individual medals in Chengdu, China, will be competing again. Judging by the results this year, they are faster and stronger.

Charne du Plessis, who won bronze in the 800 metres in 2023, is now nearly six seconds faster. In March, the medical student made history when she won the 800 meters in 1:59.86 at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria. In doing so, she became only the sixth South African female athlete to break the 2-minute barrier. A month later, at the SA Champs in Potchefstroom, she ran 1:58.98, qualifying for the World Champs. Her time is currently one of the 21 fastest in the world. Just for interest, at the previous Student Games, she ran 2:04.73.

Her breakthrough runs came about because she has made a mindset change.

"I am not afraid anymore when I line up to race. I give my all when I run because I don't want to disappoint myself. The moment I finished racing, it is important to know it was my best effort. I couldn't have done better."

Marlie Viljoen was in China, one of only two South African athletes to win a gold medal. She was victorious in the 400 metres, running 52.38 seconds. So far this season, her best time is 51.42 seconds.

She credits being faster to no longer being 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. 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."

Courtney Westley won the women's singles sculls in China. This time around, she paired up with Katherine Williams. Westley finished fifth last year in the A-final of the World Under-23 Championships. Williams has won bronze at previous World Under-23 Championships.

Hannah van Niekerk was part of the South African women's 4x400m-relay team that won a bronze at the World Relay Championships. Last year, she won a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles during the World Junior Athletics Championships. She is also the South African under-23 champion for the last two years. With best times of 56.22 seconds in the hurdles event and 52.72 seconds over 400 metres, she can be considered a medal contender.

A total of 34 Tuks athletes, coaches and team managers form part of the South African Student Games team.

Basketball: Allen Mametja, Matthew Williams, Caroline Maine and Thoriso Kotsane. Men's coach: Thanda Kweyana. Women's coach: Thesline Davids.

Rowing: Katherine Williams and Courtney Westley.

Swimming: Kate Meyer, Hannah Pearce, Leigh Mcharan, Hannah Robertson, Pieter Coetzee, Matthew Randle, Arno Kruger, Cameron Casali, Owethu Mahan, Shaun Thomas. Coach: Keenan Riffel

Athletics: Eckhart Potgieter, Peace Adedokun, Anastayasha George, Marlie Viljoen, Charne du Plessis, Karabo Mailula, Kayla van der Bergh, Hannah van Niekerk and Colette Uys.

Archery: Joane Coetzee and Wian Roux. Team manager: Gerda Roux. Coach: Septimus Holtzhausen.

Tennis: Coach: Kyla Yelverton. Team manager: Makgotso Thobejane.