High jumper aims to compete at Olympics

Farrarmere Primary School high jumper Rebecca Kerrigan has set her sights on the Olympic Games after landing her first national medal during the South African Schools Athletics (SASA) national primary schools track and field championships in Polokwane last month.

“I totally love it. The sky is the limit. Watch out Olympics, here I come,” she said.

Rebecca claimed a bronze medal after clearing 1.23m to finish tied for third, with Melanie Hill from the Free State, in the girls’ U10 high jump.

The gold medal went to Anria van Wyk from the Western Cape, who jumped 1.28m. Zine van der Heever from Mpumalanga claimed the silver after clearing 1.28m.

Although Rebecca’s jump did not go according to her plan, she said she was delighted with her progress, especially because this was her first year of participating in the discipline.

“I am so super proud of myself. It was a long, hot day in Limpopo. It was not as high as I can get, but I am chuffed,” said Rebecca.

Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) runner Siyanda Madlabane grabbed a silver medal in the U12 boys’ 1 500m. After clocking 4:44 in his heat, the Siphethu Primary School learner, finished the final in 4:24, behind winner Barend du Plessis from Mpumalanga.

He explained he was satisfied with his performance and will now turn his focus to the cross-country season, which starts on April 20.

“I have to intensify my cross-country training. I am moving to the U13 4km race. It is going to be tough. I have to train hard to stand a chance of going to the nationals,” he said.

Madlabane’s BNAC teammate Chelsea van Dyk clocked 4:45 in the U12 girls’ 1 500m but finished fourth and hurdler Heike Duvenage finished one place outside the top three after completing the U10 girls’ 75m hurdles in 12.29 seconds.

Mahlatse Mamonyane finished the U11 girls’ 1 200m in ninth place.

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