A historical moment played off at the offices of Polokwane Observer on Tuesday when Pietersburg Road Runners (PRR) athlete, Rufus Photo who officially joined KPMG Running Club as off today (Thursday) handed his 2016 Comrades gold medal to local super athlete Johan van der Merwe as token of appreciation for taking him from zero to hero within the last eight years.
Photo will leave a legacy behind at PRR and tells a story of a cab watch with a dream who are now known as professional athlete and three times Comrades Marathon gold medallist. But he admits that his dream would not have come true without hard work and dedication and a passionate mentor and coach such as Van der Merwe.
In 2009 Photo saw Van der Merwe exiting a shop at Cycad shopping centre where he was working as a cab watch. Van der Merwe was wearing a Comrades shirt and Photo told Van der Merwe that he would beat him in running. Van der Merwe, a reputable athlete was surprised and they exchanged numbers.
“I invited him to the club. We bought him takkies and he ran under the condition that if he came back for more training the following week, we would buy him a watch until he was fully rigged. Photo showed phenomenal potential from the beginning. He was a natural athlete and easy to coach. He also showed the will to excel and perform in athletics by continuously setting goals for himself,” Van der Merwe said.
Photo previously declined several offers to change clubs and chose to remain loyal to PRR. “PRR is not an elite running club and we cannot offer him what an athlete of his calibre needs. I suggested he join KPMG as they offer an excellent infrastructure and support for their athletes – something we cannot deliver,” Van der Merwe said.
Photo will receive a monthly retainer, invitation to the Comrades and Two Oceans training camps at no expense and entry, travelling and accommodation costs to major events to be covered. “Photo deserve to be treated like a professional athlete and KPMG has the capacity and support base to do that. Even though it is sad to see him joining another club, he would at least still be residing in Polokwane. The city’s star is not leaving the province and I have high hopes that he might win the Comrades within the next three to four years,” Van der Merwe said.
Photo applauded Van der Merwe for his consistency during the past eight years. “It has been the most joyous years of my life working with Van der Merwe. I cannot recall once when we had an argument. We had fun while training seriously,” Photo said, adding a word of thanks to his employer, Volkswagen Polokwane for their support.
He thanked Van der Merwe by handing him the Comrades Marathon gold medal he received for finishing fifth this year. “It is the least I can do to show how deeply I appreciate every moment Van der Merwe spent training me and never giving up on me,” Photo said.
Photo’s first event in KPMG colours will be the Sowetan Marathon on 6 November.
Story and photo: RC Myburgh
>>rc.observer@gmail.com
Featured photo: Rufus Photo hands his 2016 Comrades Marathon gold medal to Johan van Merwe in appreciation of his assistance and guidance. Photo will now be running for KPMG Running Club.
