A South African record, maybe even two – you never know what can happen – is the goal that Colette Uys sets for herself for 2026.

The goal is more than achievable. The 2025 Bestmed Student Sportswoman of the Year increased her best distance in the shot put to 18.14 m this year. This is just three centimetres short of Ashley Erasmus' record of 18.17 m.

Uys already has plans to try to gain those extra few centimetres in the shot put circle.

"I want to try to model my shot put technique on that of Sarah Mitton, the world indoor champion from Canada. It just makes sense. We have almost the same build. What will also be important is to make sure that I peak at the right times. There were so many competitions this year, my body couldn't keep up."

"Maybe I'll just try to break the South African record in the discus. Throwing six metres further to break Elizna Naude's record (64.87 m) will take a giant effort, but on a good day, anything is possible. I apologise, but my aspirations are lofty.

The Tuks medical student has good reason to be confident. In April, Uys possibly achieved something few athletes have ever done at the South African Championships. Uys medalled in three of the four throwing events. She won gold in the shot put and discus events and silver in the hammer throw. 

It should be noted that her winning distances of 18.14 m in the shot put and 57.94 m in the discus were personal bests. In the past ten years, only Ashley Erasmus (18.17 m in the shot put) and Yolandi Stander (58.80 m in the discus) had performed better. She currently ranks as the 38th best shot putter in the world and 90th in the discus. Uys won bronze at the World Student Games. She also competed at the World Championships. That really motivated her. 

"Getting the chance to compete against my role models, whom I've only seen on television before, can be intimidating if you let it. I wasn't going to let intimidation affect me. Two things mattered at Worlds. I want to take in every moment and enjoy it. It was vital to watch and learn from my opponents in the shot put circle.

"I came back from Worlds knowing that in a year or two I'd be ready to bark with the big dogs. I can't afford to have others worship heroes forever. I want to be better than them. It's possible. I came back from Worlds knowing that in a year or two, I'd be ready to bark with the big dogs. I can't afford to have hero worship for others forever. I want to be better than them. You can't sacrifice so many hours only to say you were there. Making up numbers. From 2027, I want to assert myself in international competitions."