Alberton’s Brooks roars back to claim U15 national title in dramatic finish

Tyran Brooks staged a stunning comeback to win the U15 boys’ 4km national title in one of the most dramatic and unexpected finishes at the Athletics South Africa Cross-Country Championships on September 7.

After being “boxed in, punched and kicked” at the start, which pushed him back, the Alberton resident fought his way back into the top three and looked set for bronze as the Athletic Gauteng North duo of Emil Els and Olerato Masiloane followed each other on the home stretch.

But Brooks burst into the home straight, went past Masiloane and closed in on a struggling Els. The crowd cheered loudly, attempting to push Els. He surged forward, but his leg muscles objected and gave in.

Down he went, and Brooks flew past him to win the race in 12:06.

“My legs are sore,” said Brooks as he lay down at the finish.

Masiloane arrived and helped his teammate up before crossing the line for the silver after clocking 12:19.

In a remarkable show of strength and power, Els pushed himself across the line to land the bronze in 12:21.

Horrible start

In winning, the Boxer athlete showed his range and pedigree – he’s a national 3 000m champion in his category and has a PB of 08:41.43 in the distance – but also the importance of believing in one’s abilities when on the back foot.

“The start was horrible,” he said.

“Everybody boxed me in, pushed and kicked me. If you weren’t in front, you had to sprint. But getting to the front is difficult when you are boxed in, and the front guys are pushing and kicking, making it harder because it tires your legs.”

So used to leading and dictating the tempo and pace, this time around, however, the Hoërskool Marais Viljoen learner worked relentlessly to pull himself out of that situation.

“I told myself to focus and run my race. The guys will always maintain the gap, but they are not me. I kept my pace and knew I would catch them. I have an incredible sprint at the end. That’s what I did because I know these guys are not on my level.”

‘Bhubesi’ roars to victory

But in the final third of the race was where he put in every last effort he had to secure the victory.

“This last piece, I don’t know where it came from. I had a boost of energy and said to myself, ‘Just catch those two guys. They are jogging. You are sprinting. Catch them. They are not on your level’. That’s exactly what I did,” Brooks said.

After the 15-year-old crossed the finish line, his father came charging down near the pavilion and excitedly cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, ‘Bhubesi’.

“My aunt said my new nickname is ‘Bhubesi, the lion’. Every time before a race, she motivates me and says, ‘Let’s go, Bhubesi. Let’s win this race.”

He advised those who want to succeed in the sport to listen to their coaches and train consistently.

“Train when your coach says you must. Even if he says you must train at 04:00, do it. Don’t just stay in bed and say you will skip it. Force yourself out of bed. Get dressed and go run.”