UJ’s up-and-coming long jump star, Jason Farao, will be making his Varsity Athletics debut when the competition gets underway and is hopeful of jumping a new personal best.
The first year Transportation Management student grew up in Vredenberg and his talents caught the eye of the university and he feels the move to Johannesburg has helped him improve his performances.
“I was coached by my father throughout my schooling career but now that I have moved to UJ, I am receiving the best coaching I can possibly get and I can feel that I’m improving with each event.
“It feels good to be able to participate in my first Varsity Athletics event because it gives me a chance to launch my career. I’m not really nervous right now but I know the nerves will start when the event starts,” he told varsitysportssa.com.
The 18-year-old recorded a season’s0 best jump of 7.47 metres at a Central Gauteng Athletics event in February is reaping the benefits of the newly launched African Jumping Academy, under the guidance of head athletics coach Emmarie Fouché.
“I’m getting to work with the best coaches in the country and I’m already benefiting from all the hard work. Training is intense and, because I’m a speed jumper, the drills are mainly aimed at improving my speed.
“The nice part of the drills is that I can also apply it in my 100 metre sprints but I will only be focusing on the long jump for the Varsity Athletics event,” he added.
Farao represented South Africa at the Zone VI Youth Games in December 2014 where he placed second in the long jump following a jump of 7.14 metres. His recent leap of 7.47 metres is testament to the hard work and guidance he receives from UJ’s athletics programme and he has only one goal in mind for the upcoming event.
“I just want to go out there to do my best for the University and jump, not only a season’s best but a personal best as well,” he stated.
