Germiston athletes Thato Motingwe and Connor Gunning have already started training and have great plans for the year.
The two 400m track runners, trained by George Gundry, said they train all week at the Germiston Stadium and enjoy every minute of it.
Gunning (15) said he sees himself going far in athletics.
“I love and enjoy this sport, I would like to take it further than the junior level and pursue it as a career,” he said.
“My personal best time to date is 51 seconds and I want to work towards improving it.”
Gunning’s training partner, Motingwe (15), doesn’t run only the 400m.
“I specialise in the 400m and also do cross-country,” he said.
“This sport, like most sporting codes, requires a lot of energy and stamina and for one to achieve great and impressive results you have to be focused.”
Motingwe realised his talent at a young age.
“I started doing athletics when, I think, I was in Grade five, but even before that I just loved running as a child,” he said.
“My role models include Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake, who are among those who inspire me in athletics.
“One of my favourite quotes reads: ‘If your dreams don’t scare you then they are not big enough.'”
He added that the quote is one of the things that keep him going.
Gunning and Motingwe both admire Gundry.
“We have the best coach ever; we appreciate all that he does for us,” said Motingwe.
“Yes, he is really good at what he does; he is the best,” added Gunning.
The youngsters also said they would like to thank their parents for all their support and that they hope to produce great results in all the competitions in which they take part throughout the year.
