Aspiring local high jumpers set for even greater heights
Matome Shabangu won the high jump at the South African Junior Championship while Ruan Bronkhorst has been selected in the preliminary SA team for the Soncini Games in Italy next month
The Advertiser met up with two of Boksburg’s top high jumpers at the Boksburg City Stadium, where the duo discussed their future plans and greatest achievements among other subjects.
Impala Park resident Matome Shabangu won the high jump at the South African Junior Championship in Paarl in early April.
His training partner and Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen athlete, Ruan Bronkhorst, has been selected in the preliminary SA team for the Soncini Games in Italy next month.
Quizzed on his historic outing in Paarl, Monument High School’s Shabangu said: “It felt that Cape Town wasn’t going well for me. I was there multiple times previously and I wouldn’t make the first jump,” added Shabangu, whose personal best is 2.11m.
On his mental stage before a big jump, he said: “My biggest inspiration is Javier Sotomayor. He jumped 2.33m to set a world junior record (May 1984). He’s also the world record holder.
“In all heights, I’m just thinking of me and the bar. After every jump, I fix my mistakes mentally.”
Shabangu, just like Bronkhorst, is a student of Boksburg’s seasoned athletics coach, Sonette Sanders.
“There was a time when I wasn’t performing and I wanted to quit. She advised me to take a break in December and when I came back, I improved. Her, along with my mom, advised that I needed to take some time off. This is my best season thus far.”
Shabangu, whose dream is to be an Olympian in 2020, began training with Sanders in 2012. He’s completing his matric studies.
Apart from high jump, Bronkhorst is a short and long hurdler – as well as a sprinter. He also competes in the long jump.
Following a Gauteng districts meeting and multiple training camps, he earned his selection to Europe for the first time. He made his fourth schools South African Champs appearance this year in Potchefstroom where he finished 7th in high jump.
His personal bests in the long and high jump events are 6.86m and 1.86m respectively.
The Mutaz Barshim fanatic also had similar sentiments to Shabangu’s about his coach.
“She’s amazing. She’s taught me to always do my best and never give up, no matter what.”
The Grade Nine student said the following on his qualification to Italy: “At first it didn’t seem like a reality to me but now as the date nears, I’m very excited. I can’t wait.” – @SabeloBoksburg
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