UP-Tuks javelin thrower Chad Herman is taking advantage of his move from NMMNU to really step up his performance in this year’s athletics season.
Herman made the move at the end of last season to Pretoria as a way to accelerate his progress and has immediately felt the change in both his lifestyle and performance.
“It is a big change, coming from a coastal town, Pretoria is quite busy, it’s a hustle and bustle – you always feel rushed.
“For me Pretoria is a step up from where I was, definitely with the standard, they have a more professional and goal orientated approach.
“They were previous Varsity Sports Champions so they will be wanting to keep that high standard, for me as an outsider coming into the mix it has to be as smooth as possible.
“Touch wood, it has been successful so far,” Herman said.
Herman is hoping to use the new opportunities granted to him to reach for higher honors, such as inclusion at the All-Africa Games.
He has had a successful pre-season in Pretoria and would like to use that as a base to remain number one within the Varsity Sports setup.
“Pre season has gone quite well I have had about three weeks of training in Pretoria which didn’t go to badly.
“I was then into the season, so I’ve started of slowly competing at a league meeting and then AGN Champs and then I competed at juniors so training wise it was a solid start to the season,” Herman added.
His primary aim is qualifying for the South African team to travel to Morocco for the All-Africa Games.
“Everything is happening now, and Saturday – I need to secure a slot on the South African team to go to Morocco.
“From what I have heard is you need to be ranked in the top three, and currently I am ranked fourth, so it will take something big from me.
“But I am confident and I believe in myself that I will be able to do it.
“It is just a matter of executing when my chance comes and I definitely aspire to make the South African team to go to the All-Africa Games, and what ever comes after that will just be a bonus.
