Running away with her talent

Kiona Robinson is just another young talented athlete to come from Krugersdorp.

The grade 11 learner from Hoërskool Monument proved just how talented she is after competing at the ASA 10km Championships held in Mbombela early this month. Impressively, the youngster ran in the U20 Junior Women’s Category and bagged a bronze medal, and just like any other talented athlete, she saw this as a major stepping stone to further grow and develop at the highest level.

Of course, hard work pays off and that is exactly the case for Kiona.

“I have always been an avid runner and started in 2017 when I was in grade five. At the time, my primary school needed more participants in the cross-country team and although I wasn’t competitive I had enough natural talent. It was also when my previous principal introduced me to a running coach and soon thereafter, I started becoming competitive with cross country in 2019 followed by athletics in 2021,” Kiona said.

About her achievement in Mbombela, Kiona said, “It’s an incredible feeling, I’ve only recently started doing road races such as a 10km so being able to place third in a national championship is truly satisfying.”

Kiona also has other goals which she has set out for herself. She’s always been a fan of the Olympics from a very young age and having to witness the world’s best athletes on television keeps her motivated.

“I always wanted to do everything from a young age. I had a lot of energy and sport was a good way to have fun. I would also watch the Olympics as a child and was always in complete awe of the athletes. I now hope to attend the World Junior Athletics Championships and World Championships in the future and run at a level where I can become a well-known name and figure in the world of athletics. Of course, winning a medal at the Olympics would be the ultimate but to get there one has to excel and do your best in every event. I like track so it would be ideal for me to target long road races such as 21km even marathons,” she said.

And what is a good athlete without a support structure? Kiona points out that she is grateful to every single person who has helped her be the person she is today.

“My biggest inspiration is my running coach Quintus Writes. He was an amazing runner and cyclist when he was younger and his love and passion for the sport is very evident in how he coaches. He puts so much effort into training me and having such a great coach has helped me become the best athlete I can be and to be someone who always has their head in the game.”