Top athletes from Noordwyk Secondary School believed their good preparation helped them excel in the recently held Midrand Cluster Athletics meeting.
The athletes spoke to Midrand Reporter on February 15 in the school’s staff room after scooping 53 medals (22 gold, 16 silver and 15 bronze) much to the delight of principal Alex Tau.
The learners participated in various events including relay, javelin, shot put, long jump and high jump among others.
Among the top achievers were Grade 12 learners Emacrhist Mukendi, Wisdom Nefolovhodwe, Mulalo Bodeli and Onneile Dilemo.
Emachrist (18), who participated in the 200m and 400m track events, won gold in both races and said he was proud of his personal and school achievements.
“I did have a challenge in the 200m because there were good competitors but I am proud I still managed to come first. I would have liked to participate in the 100m but fatigue had already crept in and I could not take part. I think I did represent the school well, as all the other athletes have done as well,” said Emachrist.
Other athletes who excelled were Gareth Nkhwashu (Grade 11), Zazi Kalako (Grade 10), Manaka Phasha (Grade 9) and Xolani Maseko
(Grade 8).
Manaka (14) said she participated in the long jump, 3 000m and relay and won gold in all of them.
“I trained hard for the events that I will be participating in… I started running when I was still young at my previous primary school in Tembisa. At first, I did not take it [athletics] seriously as I was doing it just for fun but now I am happy with what I have achieved so far. I hope I will be a superstar,” said Manaka.
She said since attending Noordwyk Secondary School, she had won six gold medals in various events.
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