South Africa boasts a number of athletes that could reach the qualifying standards for the biggest sporting spectacle on the planet, taking place in Rio later this year.
To compete at the Olympic Games is every athlete’s dream, and it seems that quite a few student-athletes in the country have the chance to fly the country’s flag high in August. Let’s have a look at our student-athlete stars:
1) Ruswahl Samaai
Rushwahl Samaai is a name that is underestimated in the South African athletics scene, but the 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist is not bothered about what’s going on around him. He proves to be one of the most consistent long-jumpers, consistently jumping well over the sought-after 8m mark. He recently broke Khotso Mokoena’s South African indoor record at the World Indoor Championships, jumping a best leap of 8.18m. Samaai is a student at the University of Johannesburg and heads to the Olympics as one of the favourites in the men’s long jump event.
2) Caster Semenya
She had the world on her doorstep, but after a disappointing dip in her athletics career, the world renowned 800m star shifted her focus by changing coaches and heading off to study at the University of Potchefstroom. Her move was questioned by many, but all the critics were silenced when she qualified for the Olympic Games comfortably. Her 51sec 400m personal best indicates that she could possibly break or get close to the 800m world record, so is she going to the Olympics? She is going and she doesn’t plan on returning without a medal.
3) Akani Simbine
These two world class athletes will be joined by the new South African 100m record holder, Akani Simbine. Simbine shocked the world when he opened his season with a very fast 9.96sec 100m, thus making history as fastest season opener along-side the legendary Franky Fredericks. The Tuks sprinter is in a class of his own and is most likely to make the 100m finals on the big stage in August after missing out on the world championships finals by just one position. He is set to make his mark on world sprinting when he goes head-on with the best in the world.
4) Justine Palframan
The ever-so-humble and friendly Justine Palframan from the University of Stellenbosch hasn’t been on her best form this year, but it seems that a very tactically planned season awaits the star that should be in 50sec 400m shape soon. Palframan’s victory at last year’s World Student Championships showcases what she’s capable of and she will battle it out for a spot in the Olympic finals in Rio.
5) Wayde van Niekerk
University of Free State star, Wayde van Niekerk, needs no introduction on the athletics scene as he rose to stardom by winning world championships in an African 400m record in 2015. This champion is noted as one of the favourites to possibly break the long-standing 400m world record held by Michael Johnson. He will definitely be at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio. Although Van Niekerk will not take part in 2016 Varsity Athletics, he was the standout Varsity Athletics star in 2015. Van Niekerk is not one of the favourites to be crowned Olympic champion, he is the favourite.
Other student-athletes that could possibly make the cut for the games are:
Dumisani Hlaselo (1500m, University of Johannesburg), Dylon Cotter (Long Jump, University of Johannesburg), Lindsay Hanekom (400mH, University of Pretoria), Lynique Prinsloo (Long Jump, University of Johannesburg), Jeromy Andreas (1500m, University of Johannesburg), Tebogo Mamathu (100m, University of Pretoria), Thando Roto (100m, University of Pretoria), Rantso Mokopane (3000m SC, North-West University), Rodwill Ndlovu (400m, University of Western Cape), Pieter Conradie (800/400m, North-West University), Tshepang Makhete (Hammer-throw, North-West University), Chad Herman (Javelin-throw, University of Pretoria).
These and many other student-athletes are hard at work to make the Olympic dream come true; a dream we believe they can achieve!
By Reginald Hufkie
