UFS-Kovsies’ High Jumper, Mareza Brink, will be making her Varsity Athletics debut in Stellenbosch on Monday and she feels that she is more than capable of holding her own against some of the country’s top athletes.
“It has been going very well and I am feeling confident for Monday. I am feeling a little bit nervous, but I am very excited and I think it is going to be a great challenge,” Brink told varsityathleticssa.com.
The first year Medicine student admits that she is still unfamiliar with some of her opponents, but has heard of the exploits of NWU-Pukke’s Julia du Plessis. Brink also wants to match her personal best at the meeting.
“I heard about Julia and that she was a medallist at the World Junior Champs. I know I will be jumping against her, but I don’t know who else I will be competing against.
“I am hoping to jump 1.65m. My current personal best is 1.65m, but I haven’t jumped it in a while so I am hoping to jump it again,” said Brink.
Brink has high praise for her coach, Johan Human, who has been with her for the last six years. She believes he is the best coach in South Africa.
“He is a very good coach, very calm, very passionate about what he does. He knows exactly what he is doing,” she added.
Brink has already set her sights on the rest of the year after Varsity Athletics and has hinted that next season could be a big one for her.
“I am going to be competing at the Student Champs so I am hoping to do quite well there. I feel that I want to improve on my general performance in the off season and to train hard and be ready for next season,” she said.
With Varsity Athletics now in its third year, Brink believes that the competition has assisted athletes at university level who want to grow in the sport and embark on a professional career.
“I think Varsity Athletics is a great opportunity for athletes to compete against each other. The whole atmosphere is just encouraging.
“Varsity Athletics is a great inspiration and motivation for many athletes to compete and I think it is a great opportunity for athletes to meet each in a positive atmosphere,” Brink added.
