Lushano brings home the gold
Former Durban Girls College pupil, Lushano Smit returned with a gold medal and the title in the Biathlete World Championships in Guatemala this month.
MUSGRAVE'S Lushano Smit is back home after her first international competition at UIPM Modern Biathlete World Championships in Guatemala this month where she excelled beyond her wildest expectations.
The former Durban Girls College pupil brought home a gold medal and the title in the Junior women's division, achieving her personal best of 12.19 for the race course. “The competition was great and it was a wonderful experience going to Guatemala to compete. I ran on a tar road course for 1500m then into the harbour where we had to swim in the open water for 200m and run again for 1500m. I don't really train in open water but because I live in Durban and enjoy swimming in the sea it was great and the harbour was flat so no surprise waves,” she said.
Lushano recalled the amazing feeling when she was handed the South African flag as she ran through the finish line. “It was indescribable. I only realised I had a good chance of first place when someone shouted I was ahead when I got out of the harbour. I just had an adrenaline rush it was amazing,” she said.
“I have always been a runner and swimmer, since I learned to swim in Grade 2, but mostly focus on running. I only started seriously training for my running when our school noticed my potential in Grade 6,” said the 20 year old athlete.
Lushano is part of KZN's Elite Squad and runs locally for Fast Feet Running Club coached by Victor Vaz.. “I love running and take it seriously because it is part of my life. This year has been my best year yet as a sportswoman.” Lushano trains at the Prime High Performance Centre at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“I'm inspired by local athletes like Chad Le Clos who was one of the swimmers I competed with in my galas as a child. Also Caster Semenya, because I want to run as fast as her and also break the two minute barrier for 800m,” she said.
Lushano's long term goal is to go to the Olympics. “Even if I don't reach my goal, I will still continue to train and compete because running is who I am.” Lushano thanked everyone who donated generously so she could have the opportunity to compete in the event which she had to self-fund.
“Thank you to the local community as well as the broader South African community who supported my fundraising drive and to my family for their support and God for giving me the talent and courage to get to live my dream,” she said.
