Eden Park athlete off to Tokyo

From Eden Park to competing in Tokyo Olympics, student athlete Cheswill Johnson has proudly hoisted his neighbourhood’s and country’s flag.

At 23, the passionate sportsman has made a name for himself in the sporting fraternity and has the world at his feet.

Johnson, who is enrolled at the University of Johannesburg, best regards himself as a locally celebrated long jumper and sprinter.

His remarkable journey in athletics started at a rather late stage of his life.

“In my matric year I got into club sport, and there I did quite well. I then decided that instead of only focusing on sprinting, I would also focus on long jump and I also became good at it,” said Johnson.

While in matric he participated in national championships in junior contests for long jump, where he finished second.

In 2017, through the University of Johannesburg, Johnson represented the country in Taipei.

Again in 2018, he progressed to participating in the African Championships in Nigeria where he outshone himself and came fifth.

“In 2020 we couldn’t compete because of the pandemic and the season was cut short. This year I qualified for Tokyo, being one of the first ones to qualify for the Olympics. Being a long jumper in SA is tough because people already have expectations because of the legacy left by other long jumpers,” said Johnson.

He said qualifying for the Olympics is a milestone and it shows that one can achieve anything as long as they put their mind to it.

Johnson also told the RECORD that a win for him at the Olympics would inspire those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“It will show them that it’s possible for someone, who comes from a neighbourhood that doesn’t have much, to win on an international stage. It will also motivate me to continue encouraging others to do better in reaching their personal goals,” he said.

He thanked everyone that coached and inspired him to be where he is to date.