Sparrow flying to cycling fame
FOURWAYS – THE name Mitchell Sparrow is fast becoming synonymous with superstardom in the South African track cycling circles.
This is after the 18-year-old junior cyclist scooped a cracking six gold medals and one silver in the U18 events in the South African Track Cycling Championships held at the Hector Norris Park in Johannesburg last month.
Sparrow broke his own junior domestic records for the 1km time trial race and the 200m race.
His time of 1.06 seconds is just a second off the fastest 1km time set by South African cyclist and Olympian Bernard Esterhuizen at the South African championships in the past five
years at elite level.
His time was also the best on the day out of all the age groups, beating even the elite group above him.
“I am well on my way to being one of the best in the country,” said Sparrow.
Adding to the treasure of awards, he was awarded the best junior rider championships trophy in the same tournament.
Sparrow, who is now in Grade 12 at Dainfern College, said he started cycling at the age of 11 after his father, David, encouraged him to take part in an amateur mountain biking race.
“I took part in other races after that and started falling in love with the sport,” he said.
Sparrow migrated from mountain biking to provincial level road races in the U14 and U16 age categories, respectively, before he went into track racing.
“Now I have a coach, I have a set diet, I am in matric and I train harder than before. Things are more serious than they were when I started,” said Sparrow, adding that despite the seriousness of the level, he has huge support from his school, coach and family.
“I put myself under pressure because I want to be the best. In the end it is worth my efforts when I win a race at this level – it is unbelievable,” he added.
Sparrow also represented South Africa at the African Continental Championships earlier this year where he won the match sprint race and the omnium.
He took home two gold medals and one silver. “I felt really proud of wearing the South African colours and representing my country,” he said.
With his eyes set on studying further next year, Sparrow said he is not looking to give up cycling and will work hard to fit both in.
“Next year I will be in the elite level and my goal is to compete in the Commonwealth games,” said Sparrow.
