Why Kyle Blignaut could be South Africa’s next big thing in athletics

As the ball starts to roll, with the early stages of the domestic track and field season gaining some momentum, there’s a lot to look forward to this year.

There are World Championships for both junior and senior athletes, the Commonwealth Games, and a long list of other championship events, as the sport tries to catch up with a packed programme which has been condensed due to the Covid lockdown.

There is a lot of uncertainty, but a lot to look forward to as well. Akani Simbine will look to break his top-flight podium drought, Wayde van Niekerk will be searching for another gear, and Caster Semenya’s  potential return to the track has taken some big knocks, but she will probably keep fighting as long as she can.

There is one athlete, however, who could steal the headlines. And if he doesn’t do it this year, it seems his emergence as a global force is both imminent and inevitable.

Kyle Blignaut has flaunted his potential, gradually climbing the ladder both at home and abroad.

After winning the world junior shot put title in 2018, he made a smooth transition to senior level, and it was evident he had settled in the circle with the heavier shot when he beat Jason van Rooyen in a hard-fought battle to win the national title last year.

Blignaut, who went on to finish sixth at the Tokyo Olympics at the age of 21, was superb throughout the 2021 campaign, sending the shot sailing beyond 20 metres in 17 of his 18 competitions and setting a massive personal best of 21.21m.

Between his consistency, his confidence, and his quick shift to senior competition – no easy task in such a technical discipline – Blignaut has displayed the potential to set the world alight.

At this point, he’s already knocking on the door in an attempt to join the big dogs, and it seems he can only get better.

At home, he’ll have Van Rooyen (and perhaps even SA-born Zane Weir, who now represents Italy) to push him, and when he touches down on the global circuit, his results could be explosive.

In an era which has already seen the likes of Van Niekerk and Semenya dominating their events on the international stage, there is no shortage of younger South African athletes who have the ability to challenge at the same level.

Among all of them, however, Blignaut stands out. And if he can stay fit and healthy, he could break new ground, even in an event which is extremely competitive at the moment.

With so many things to see this year, it might be difficult to decide where to cast your eyes. If you’re unsure, look at Blignaut. He’ll be worth watching.