SA’s new rising star in 800m

The world’s female 800 metre athletes had better watch out – there’s another South African to worry about.

Liza Kellerman, a specialist long-distance runner, is the new rising star in the 800 metre event, and alongside Rio Olympics champion Caster Semenya, she could be a formidable force at the next Summer Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo in 2020 – that is, if she’s considered for selection. But as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Liza needs no introduction. She’s considered to be one of Randfontein’s and SA’s top athletes, whose performance with running shoes wherever she goes speaks volumes.

She was recently chosen to represent South Africa at the Region 5 Games, which take place from 9 to 17 December in Angola. She will be competing against athletes from Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.

This former Laerskool Randfontein learner, now in Grade 12 at Hoërskool Monument, has represented South Africa five times this year.

The first occasion was at the Southern Regions’ Youth Champs in Lesotho on Saturday, 30 April. She then competed in the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Relays in Polokwane in the 400 and 800 metre events on 24 May. And on 4 and 5 June, she competed in the Southern Regions Junior Championships in Zambia. She also competed at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Senior Championship in Durban during June.

Liza has already competed side-by-side with Caster and has her sights set on Tokyo 2020.

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