You may not have heard about 18-year-old sprinter Bayanda Walaza yet, but if his rapid rise to fame in 2024 is anything to go by, including qualifying for the Paris Olympics, his may soon be a household name in SA. – By Sean Falconer
Author: Tanika Laskey
‹ Back 
Up for the Challenge
Ryan Sandes is rightfully considered a legend of SA ultra-distance trail running, and now he’s thinking of tackling even longer distances in the near future, but first he has unfinished business in France. – By Sean Falconer
Dreaming of a Sub-28
After shift his focus from running marathons and ultras down to 10km, Bongelani Mkhwanazi has become one of the country’s fastest and most consistent performers. – By Tathe Msimango with Sean Falconer
OLYMPIANS AND PARALYMPIAN ATHLETES LAUDED AT SPAR GRAND PRIX JOBURG LAUNCH
Johannesburg, Gauteng , South Africa: Calling all women of Jozi! SPAR is proud to announce the launch of the iconic SPAR Women’s Challenge Jozi, returning to paint the streets of Johannesburg peach on 06 October 2024. This launch event marks the kick-off of the year’s #ChooseYou campaign, celebrating female empowerment and inclusivity in sports.
“SPAR recognises the transformative power of sport to inspire and empower women,” says Mpudi Maubane, SPAR PR, Communications and Sponsorship Manager. “We believe in creating opportunities for women to participate in physical activity, challenge themselves, and achieve their goals. Our involvement in women’s road running, including the SPAR Grand Prix Series, perfectly aligns with our sponsorship pillars: Nutrition, Education, and Women Empowerment. It celebrates women’s health, fitness, and community spirit.”
This year’s theme, #ChooseYou, embodies the essence of the SPAR Women’s Challenge Jozi. It’s more than just a race; it’s a celebration of what makes every woman unique. Whether you’re a seasoned runner striving for a personal best or a first-timer seeking a fun day out with friends, the SPAR Women’s Challenge welcomes you with open arms.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this annual tradition! Entries are capped at 12,000, so secure your spot online starting today, 04 July. In-store registration opens on 05 August. The entry fee of R160 includes a race T-shirt, foam peak, entry into the event, and a copy of My Jozi Challenge Magazine. Aspiring 10km runners should note an additional R60 license fee (unless you’re part of a running club).
The launch event featured a captivating panel discussion with renowned athletes, including Olympic athletes Cian Oldknow and Rutendo Nyahora, previous Olympian Rene Kalmer, and Paralympic Gold Medalist Louzanne Coetzee. These inspiring women shared their journeys and insights, motivating aspiring runners to chase their dreams and embrace the #ChooseYou spirit.
The SPAR Women’s Challenge Jozi goes beyond the finish line. Every stride you take raises awareness and funds for incredible causes. This year, proceeds will benefit Headstart Kids, the Smile Foundation, and Reach for Recovery – all perfectly aligned with SPAR’s commitment to education, nutrition, and women’s empowerment.
This year marks a remarkable milestone: the 33rd edition of the SPAR Women’s Challenge Jozi! It’s not just a celebration of female participation in sports; it’s a chance to run alongside inspiring women, create lasting memories, and foster a supportive community.
Register today!
SPAR Women’s Challenge Jozi
- Date: 06 October, 2024
- Time: 8:00 AM
- Location: Marks Park, Emmerentia, Johannesburg
- Theme: #ChooseYou
- Distances: 5km Fun Run & 10km Walk or Run
- Website: https://sparwomensjozi.co.za/
- Registration: Opens online today, 04 July (limited entries)
Not-so-delusional Maseti set to break new ground for SA cycling in Paris
By Karien Jonckheere
Miyanda Maseti wants to be an Olympic champion.
She already knew that when, as a plucky seven-year-old, she watched two-time Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya on TV.
“If somebody told me then that I would be an Olympian, I would’ve accepted it way easy,” reckoned Maseti with a laugh. “I was a delusional seven-year-old so I would’ve been like ‘I already knew that’.”
Sure enough, 11 years later, the BMX star’s name was among those announced as part of Team South Africa heading to the Paris Olympic Games next month.
“I guess seven-year-old me wasn’t so delusional,” she added.
Maseti will become the first South African woman to represent the country in BMX racing at the Olympic Games since the sport was added to the programme in 2008.
“I’m not even going to lie to you, I think I’m more nervous than excited,” she admitted from her training base in the Netherlands, where she will stay until the start of the Games. “This is the Olympics and I need to show why I’ve made it there.”
While the dream of becoming Olympic champion may be a more realistic one for the next Games in 2028, Maseti is determined to impress in the French capital. “My goal in Paris is to do my best and be my best while I’m there,” she explained. “To achieve this goal I need to get myself in the right place to compete at my best ability.
“In order to be good at BMX it takes effort, time, consistency and fun. You will only want to get better if you’re enjoying it.”
Fun it’s certainly been for Maseti, having first climbed on a bike at the age of four because her brother was riding – and eventually racing against boys to make sure she continued to improve.
“I love how fun it is to learn a new skill,” explained the six-time national champion. “I love how much joy it brings. I love the intensity. I love the confidence it gives and I love the lessons it teaches.
“I wish that people knew that BMX isn’t as harmful as people think. Everyone is so afraid to fall, but it’s a part of life. Why not fall, doing something you enjoy?”
Catch Maseti on 1 and 2 August when she’ll be in action at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines BMX Stadium in Paris.
Trail (Mis)Adventures: Playing in the Pondo Mud
Ever heard that song, “Splish, splash, I was taking a bath?” Well, at the Pondo Ultra, the lyrics should have been, “Splish, splash, I was taking a mud bath!” – By Carla Farina
Badass Babies!
The third edition of the Spartan Baby Badass Ultra (SBBU) took place in Johannesburg in April, with runners taking on this incredible challenge to earn the right to call themselves Spartan Babies! – By Rob Riccardi
Sport Man Says: A Job Done Well
The organising team behind the 2024 Comrades Marathon may not have put on a perfect event, but they deserve praise for a really good effort that included innovative and exciting initiatives. – By Manfred Seidler
Debut with a Silver Lining
From reunions in the loo queue, to hallucinating about forgetting to pull her pants back up after another loo stop at 65 kays, this is the entertaining story of René Kalmer’s successful Comrades Marathon debut. – By Sean Falconer
Meder Battles Back After Emergency Surgery and is Primed For Paris
By Karien Jonckheere
Picture:Anton Geyser/SA Sports Images
Rebecca Meder’s road to Paris has been something of a roller coaster ride. Four weeks before the SA Olympic trials, the 21-year-old swimmer’s appendix ruptured, leading to emergency surgery and a dramatic change of plans.
With rules dictating she had to compete at the trials to be considered for the SA team, Meder still made her way back to South Africa from her training base in New Zealand and competed in just one race – the 50m backstroke. The event was selected as it doesn’t involve a dive or tumble turn which could have caused problems with the still-healing internal stitches after the surgery.
Fortunately for Meder, she had already achieved an Olympic qualifying time in the 200m individual medley ahead of the competition, so her place on the team was secured once she had fulfilled the requirement of simply showing up. But what followed was a gruelling few months of trying to regain her form.
The SA record-holder said the comeback would not have been possible without the support of her coach, family, boyfriend and strength and conditioning and medical teams – along with a strong faith in God.
“I’ve cried many tears over the phone, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t cry and if I didn’t have those raw emotions, and you know what, they let me feel the way I’m feeling, they listened, and then we tackled it with logic and with precision and with a goal in mind,” she explained.
“Mentally it was tough. I was frustrated, I was angry and devastated. But at the same time, I was so grateful that I was healthy. An erupted appendix is quite a dangerous thing. I spent a lot of time in prayer, worshipping God and just fixing my mind on His truth … and ultimately filling my mind with positivity and with peace and with comfort and knowing that everything was going to be OK.
“It was very difficult getting back in the pool, it was when the load started picking up, I was a little bit despondent every now and then… but I’m more at peace now knowing that I’m back on track, I’m strong again, I’m fit, fast, and muscle memory has kicked in really quickly.”
With much determination and hard work after what was effectively six weeks away from full training, Meder believes she is now back at her best.
“I’ve been hitting times in training that I’m really happy with, faster times than I have been, and my racing’s been going well, I’ve done one or two local events here in New Zealand and really happy with some of my times and some PBs, short course, which is always obviously encouraging.”
Meder competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and while that was important in terms of gaining experience, this time she’s there to compete.
“Last time my goal was to get to Olympics, and now my goal is to perform at Olympics. It’s quite scary to say out loud, but I suppose your dreams are supposed to scare you, and for me making a final at Olympic Games would be huge,” she said.
“The 200IM is going to be one of the most competitive events at Olympic Games… top eight in the world at an event like the Olympics would be massive. And then of course, when you’re in the final, anything can happen.”