One of Rantso Mokopane’s biggest goals is to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and he will focus all of his energy on turning that dream into a reality.
The young NWU-Pukke middle distance athlete trains with one of the best middle distance training groups in the country, which includes Elroy Gelant, African Championships bronze medalist Andre Olivier, Jerry Motsau and Olympic silver medalist Nijel Amos.
The 19-year-old who runs the 800m, 1500m and steeple chase, says he is motivated to take the next step towards high level international competition.
“[The] ambition is there, I therefore want to focus all my attention on trying to qualify for Commonwealth Games or perhaps [the] African Championships.
“This is one of my biggest goals I want to achieve and believe me, I’ll be working very hard on it.
“Qualifying and getting international experience would be a breakthrough I’ve dreamt of”, Mokopane said.
Recently Mokopane ran a personal best time in the 1500m of 3m44.20s and hopes to use the Varsity Athletics season as a stepping stone to continue his progress.
“[My] plans for the Varsity Cup are to get into the rhythm of running fast alongside fast people.
“I want to build up my confidence and not run above my limits.
“Personal bests will come in handy and [at] the right time”, the 2014 Under-23 national champion in 3000m steeple chase and 1500m explained.
Mokopane says he has had a love for athletics from a young age, but it was only last year – when he started training at NWU-Pukke – did he discover the belief that he could reach the top.
“My passion for athletics started when I was young, because I always used to run sprints from primary to high school.
“However, I started becoming a bit [more] serious at age 15 until I reached 17 and my then first year in Potchefstroom was in 2013.
“I just wanted to explore my boundaries, because I was with the best training group and we had outstandingly beautiful facilities here; that’s when I started this self-belief and belief that I can be the best,” Mokopane added.
