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Not-so-delusional Maseti set to break new ground for SA cycling in Paris

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on 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.

Meder Battles Back After Emergency Surgery and is Primed For Paris

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on 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.”

Childhood fantasy becomes Olympic reality for SA’s sole fencer in Paris

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Childhood fantasy becomes Olympic reality for SA’s sole fencer in Paris

By Karien Jonckheere

Flashing swords and clashing steel… who wouldn’t be fascinated? That’s what initially drew Harry Saner to fencing, and what’s now created a path for the 23-year-old to the Olympic Games in Paris.

“I was always fascinated with swords. Who isn’t as a kid?  So many movies showed fencing in so many ways that when I saw it on the TV I knew I had to start it. I begged my parents and soon they found the club that I’m still at today,” explained the Wits mechanical engineering student who trains at Tyshler Fencing School in Randburg.

Having taken up the sport around the age of 10, Saner soon climbed up the ranks and developed a real love for the sport.

“I love that fencing is a beautiful balance of physicality and mentality that transforms into a battle of wits. It’s like high-speed chess. Or your favourite movie fight scene. I absolutely wish more people knew about it. I’d love to fence more people and give more people the awesomeness fencing has given me,” he explained.

Securing his place in Paris involved winning the African Zonal Olympic Qualifier in Algeria. That he achieved by beating Mauritian Satya Gunput 15-14 in the semifinal before getting the better of Mali’s Keletigui Diabate 15-13 in the final.

“I know I was the fittest I’ve ever been for the zonal championship I won. Having that foundation already has given me the confidence to be fitter and fence better than I ever have before. So I can’t wait to see just how much better I become.”

Saner’s coach, Gennady Tyshler, has trained numerous Olympians while his father, David Tyshler, was an Olympic medallist for the Soviet Union in 1956. The coach believes fencing is the type of sport where little-known athletes can often spring a surprise on the more established stars.

“I’m sure I can!” reckoned a confident Saner. “No one has really had the opportunity to overanalyse the way I fence but there is so much out there that I can use to make a few creative problems for my upcoming opponents.”

Saner will be representing the country in épée, one of the three disciplines in fencing – the other two being foil and sabre. In épée there are no right of way rules regarding attacks which means any hit which is made is counted. Hits are awarded based on which fencer makes a hit first, according to an electrical recording apparatus.

“I’m most excited to fence in front of the French crowd. I hope it’s as electrifying as I think it’s going to be,” he said. “And since it’s a country with so much history and tradition for fencing I’m excited to show them what I’ve got. I’m going there with a medal-winning mentality and I know that will take me further than I’ve ever gone before.”

Fencing at the Paris Olympic Games runs from 27 July to 4 August.

Top Contenders in 2024 Comrades Marathon

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Top Contenders in 2024 Comrades Marathon

The Comrades Marathon has long been known as the unofficial world championships of ultrarunning and this year, a world class international and local field will be lining up outside the Durban City Hall, among more than 20,000 other runners for the 97th Comrades Marathon and 49th Up Run.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) hosted its Elite Athletes Media Briefing in Durban today (Friday, 7.6.2024). Among this year’s top contenders will be:

Internationals:

WOMEN

Alexandra Morozova – Russia

Morozova boasts 5 Comrades Marathon gold medal finishes from 5 starts and will be very strong on the Up Run. A former winner having won the race in 2022, Morozova has been on the podium in the top 3 in all but one of her Comrades finishes. Last year she was 6th but still ran her fastest ever time of 6:14:32. Coached by former winner Oleg Kharitonov, Morozova will be in the hunt come race day.

Dominika Stelmach – Nedbank Running Club International (Poland)

With a very strong ultradistance running pedigree and 3 Comrades Marathon gold medals to her name, Stelmach knows how to run the race having achieved a best of 2nd place in 2022 as well as golds on both the Up and Down Runs.

Caitriona Jennings – Nedbank Running Club International (Ireland)

An Irish native that represented her country in the 2012 Olympic Games Marathon, Jennings finished on the podium in 3rd at her first Comrades Marathon in 2019 on the Up Run. She returned last year to Comrades to make it two golds from two starts running a very fast 6:10:26 for 5th.

Andrea Pomaranski – Nedbank Running Club International (United States)

A 41-year-old who hails from the United States of America, Pomaranski boasts a very fast 2:31 marathon from Houston in 2023 and in 2024 has already run under 2:34 for the marathon twice. After a 2nd place finish in last year’s World Championships over 50km, Pomaranski has set her sights on the Comrades Marathon.

MEN

Piet Wiersma – Nedbank Running Club International (Netherlands)

Known as the unknown dutchman at the 2023 Comrades Marathon, Wiersma won the hearts of many South Africans last year where he finished 2nd, a scant 3 seconds behind winner Tete Dijana and smashing the previous course record in a time of 5:14:01. A student who is based in Italy and does all his training in the mountains, Wiersma is coming back hungry to win the Comrades and has specifically focused on added hill training for this year’s Up Run.

Andrew Davies – United Kingdom

Davies is a seasoned and fast marathon runner who boasts a marathon personal best of 2:14:23 from the 2022 Seville Marathon. The 44-year-old Brit will be making his Comrades debut in 2024 and with his speed, could well provide an upset at the front of the race.

Aaleksei Beresnev – Russia

Russian athletes have a rich history with the Comrades Marathon with many running to gold medal finishes and even wins. After a hiatus from the Comrades Marathon, more Russian athletes are starting to make their way back to South Africa and Beresnev is one of them who will be looking to emulate his countrymen. Running 5:24:40 last year to finish 8th after leading for some part of the race, it is said Beresnev much prefers the hills, and the 2024 Comrades Marathon could be the stepping stone of his career.

Alex Milne – Nedbank Running Club International – United Kingdom

Milne ran a very fast 5:31:34 in his debut Comrades last year after an extremely fast last 15km to the finish. In any other year his time would have been good enough for a top 5 finish but was only good enough for 15th last year. With a 2:16:30 marathon personal best from the 2023 London Marathon, Milne has the strength and the speed to mix it up with the men upfront and returns to Comrades hungry for a top 10 finish.

Johan Lantz – Sweden

Lantz is an ultradistance trail runner who hails from Sweden and makes his way to Comrades to run his debut. A very strong runner, Lantz boasts an impressive 5:14:41 from the Tunnel Hill 50 miler (80km) and based off that, and with the race being an Up Run, has the pedigree to challenge for a top 10 finish.

South African And Rest Of Africa Athletes:

WOMEN

Gerda Steyn – Phantane Athletics Club – South Africa

What can be said about Steyn, a two-time Comrades Marathon winner and course best time holder in both the Up and Down Runs, rewriting the record books in winning fashion. On the last Up Run in 2019, Steyn became the first woman to run the Up Run in under 6 hours, taking over 10 minutes off the course best time and finishing an amazing 17th overall in the field. She comes back this year a much stronger and faster athlete and more recently broke her own South African record in the marathon with a world class 2:24:03.

Adele Broodryk – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa

Broodryk is one of the country’s best ultradistance runners and has back to back Comrades Marathon gold medals from her 2 starts, finishing 3rd in 2022 and 2nd last year, also breaking the magical 6 hour barrier with her 5:56:25. Can she improve one better and take the top spot this year?

Galaletsang Mekgoe – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa

One of only two women who are in the same training group as men’s back to back winner Tete Dijana, Mekgoe ran a dream debut back in 2022 finishing 5th and came back even faster in 2023 but finished in the worst position of 11th, just outside the gold medals but in a time of 6:31:18 which would have given her a gold medal in every Comrades to date.

Jenet Mbhele – Xcel Athletics Club – South Africa

A South African Marathon champion, Mbhele surprised many by showing up at Comrades last year having never run further than a standard marathon. The Xcel running club athlete finished 7th in the golds in a very fast 6:27:13 and will look to add another gold medal on the Up Run.

Carla Molinaro – Hollywood Athletic Club – South Africa

Molinaro has 6 Comrades Marathon medals to her name of which two are gold medals. On her last Up Run in 2019, Molinaro ran a time of 7:51:12 to finish 45th amongst the ladies. A lot has changed since then, especially in 2023. Pushing the pace hard at the start of the 2023 Comrades, Molinaro ran the race of her life to finish 3rd, and agonizingly just missing out on a sub 6-hour finish with her time of 6:00:22. She then went on to be crowned World Champion over 50km and returns to this year’s Up Run a much different athlete.

Deanne Laubscher – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa

Laubscher is a strong athlete who represented South Africa in both the World 50km and 100km Championships. She will be looking towards her first Comrades gold medal this year after running a very fast 6:36:55 in last year’s race.

MEN

Tete Dijana – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa

If you don’t know the name Tete Dijana, you have not watched the Comrades Marathon the last two years! Dijana has become a household name in South Africa with victories in the 2022 and 2023 Comrades Marathons, the latter in a new Down Run course best time of 5:13:58. Coached by Dave Adams and part of the very strong Nedbank running club, Dijana’s first Comrades came from his only Up Run in 2019 where he finished 50th. Don’t let that result fool you into thinking he can’t run hills. Dijana is a completely different athlete now and holds a 2:11 marathon, split during the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km where he set a then world record over 50km.

Edward Mothibi – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa

Training partner of Dijana, Mothibi finished 3rd in last year’s Comrades Marathon but returns this year as the defending Up Run champion given his win in 2019 when the last Up Run was run. A very strong athlete who has podiumed in the last 3 Comrades Marathons, Mothibi will be looking to prove that his Up Run win was no fluke and that he can do it again.

Bongmusa Mthembu – Arthur Ford Running Club – South Africa

Mthembu hails from KwaZulu-Natal and is a Comrades Marathon legend having won the race 3 times and obtaining victories in both the Up and Down Runs. The last time the race went up in 2019, Mthembu narrowly lost out on a 4th victory, finishing 25 seconds behind Mothibi. He returns as a monster on the hills and will once again be eyeing out the top of the podium.

Nkosikhona Mhlakwana – Hollywood Athletic Club – South Africa

Nicknamed the pit bull, Mhlakwana is another athlete who hails from the KwaZulu-Natal province and has proven his worth in the Comrades Marathon with a gold in 2022 and 11th and 12th places in 2019 and 2023. On the last Up Run, Mhlakwana fell to the ground with the finish line in sight and went from 9th to 11th. With a 2nd and 3rd place in the Two Oceans, he has the speed and strength to make an impact.

Teboho Sello – Maxed Elite Running Club – Lesotho

Sello has been a name synonymous with South African distance running, stepping onto the podium of all major races around the country except one, the Comrades Marathon which is his favourite event. A former winner of the tough Soweto Marathon, Sello has 4 Comrades gold medals with a best of 5th and ran his Comrades personal best last year where he finished 7th in 5:24:22.

Joseph Manyedi – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa

Manyedi is a former television front runner. He is an ultradistance running specialist as attributed to his 3 Comrades gold medals from the last 3 races. A training partner to double winner Dijana, Manyedi was 5th on the last Up Run.

Dan Matshailwe – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa

A 3rd place finish on his debut Comrades in 2022, Matshailwe chose to focus on the Two Oceans Marathon in 2023 and came so close to winning it with his 2nd place finish after suffering with leg problems for most of the race and then closing the leader towards the end. This year is all about Comrades for Matshailwe who is also part of the Dijana Nedbank training group.