Kayla Gilbert and Danie van Blerk are two dynamic athletes from Germiston, who have improved significantly over the years.
Both Gilbert and van Blerk are coached by Stephané Kotze, an athletics coach at Hoërskool Goudrif and Germiston Callies.
Van Blerk started training with Kotze in May 2012 and has since improved on his performance.
He received a bronze medal in the u-23 flat 200m sprints and came fourth in the 100m sprint, in the South African Championships that were held earlier this year, in Pretoria.
He also recently finished in the top eight in the South African Senior Championships, for both the 100m and 200m sprints.
Van Blerk enjoys what he does and would like to compete in international events in the near future.
“I would like to compete in international events and stretch myself a bit more,” he said.
Gilbert realised her passion for athletics at the age of four and has been at it ever since.
She has been under Kotze’s wing for 10 years now and has been going from strength to strength.
Among other achievements, Gilbert:
- won both the long jump and the 100m hurdles race when she was selected for the South African team to represent the country in Botswana, at the Southern Regional Championships (2010);
- was part of the African Junior team to compete in the African Junior Championships and won the 100m hurdles;
- won the 100m hurdles in the South African Championships for the third time in a row, in 2012;
- has competed South African teams as a junior and youth athlete six times;
- was Central Gauteng Athlete of the Year for 2010 and 2011.
“I am passionate about this sport and I always strive to do my best,” said Gilbert.
Gilbert and van Blerk broke four records between them — the men’s and women’s 60m and 150m sprints — when they competed in an athletics meeting, in Pretoria, on October 5.
Recently, Gilbert took part in the Gauteng Central Hurdles meeting and finished in a time of 13.47 seconds in the 100m hurdles, which was a personal best time.
Gilbert and van Blerk took part in the Central Gauteng League meeting that was held earlier this month, at the Germiston Stadium.
Gilbert recorded more personal best times of 13.12 seconds, in the 100m hurdles, and 11.15 seconds in the 100m sprint, which put her in first place for both races.
Van Blerk had a few personal bests, too, running 10.03 seconds in the 100m sprint and 21.00 seconds in the 200m sprint, which saw him placed second in both races.
Meghan Philips, also from Germiston Callies, took part in the Central Gauteng League meeting and came first in the u-17 100m sprint, in a time of 11.9 seconds.
Kotze is proud of all his athletes, and sees progress every time they compete.
“I mean, not all are South African champions, but they are all good athletes,” he said.
Kotze, who was an athlete himself, has been coaching for 33 years.
He has coached 62 South African champion athletes, including Andri Schoeman, who is one of the oldest athletes and who has just recently won the World Masters 100-200m sprints, in Brazil.
Among other accolades, Kotze has received the Germiston Coach of the Year award a number of times, and a merit award from Athletics South Africa (ASA).
“I love athletics and want to see all these athletes prosper and be the best they can be,” Kotze added.
He appreciates the permission granted to utilise the Germiston Stadium.
Both Gilbert and Kotze send a big thank you to Lily’s Pharmacy, in Homestead, as they are Gilbert’s sponsors, supplying her with all the necessary supplements.
“You can’t be a great athlete without the correct supplements, and that is why we appreciate the help from Kayla’s sponsor,” Kotze said.
“We are looking for more sponsors; we have brilliant athletes and if anybody is willing to stretch out a helping hand, they are more than welcome to do so.”
The coach and the athletes are fired up and motivated by their achievements and are training hard in preparation for the next athletics meeting, that is scheduled to take place on January 11, at the Germiston Stadium.
