Van Niekerk loves the challenge of being faster each time she races
The one thing Hannah van Niekerk really enjoys is challenging herself against the stopwatch on the athletics track and she is one of the young stars to watch at this week's ASA senior championships in Potchefstroom.
A quick glance at the Tuks education student's results on the World Athletics website will prove her class. This season, she has set personal best times over 200 metres (24.36s) and 400 metres (52.72s).
There is a real chance that she will do so also in the 400m hurdles before the end of the local season.
Being fast equates to winning medals. Van Niekerk has been the u.23 SA 400 m hurdles champion for the last two years and the South African student champion in 2024. Last year, her highlight was winning a bronze medal in the hurdles at the Junior World Championship in Peru. Her time of 56.98 seconds is a personal best.
This performance led to her being named South Africa's junior athlete for 2024.
'The 400m hurdles are not just about pure speed. Technique plays a big role. For me, nothing is more enjoyable than pushing myself to the limit in the hurdles,' Van Niekerk explained during her preparation for the national championship.
What are the do's and don'ts of running a good 400m hurdles race?
'My focus is always to be fast out of the starting blocks. My coach always says you shouldn't 'walk' from the starting blocks. It is also important to attack every hurdle. The biggest mistake you can make is to trot between the hurdles. Over the last 100 metres, you should not listen to your brain when it tells you that you cannot go any further. That is when you must force yourself to endure the pain. All that matters to me over those last few metres is to be the best I can be,' she summed up her race approach.
When asked about the bronze medal she won at the World Junior Championships, Van Niekerk admitted she was a little nervous beforehand.
'It was my first time representing South Africa at such a big event. But when I walked out to compete in the heats, I calmed down. It just felt so cool. After the heat, I couldn't wait to run again. The finals were my chance to show the world what I could do,' she remarked.
Van Niekerk's goal is to win a medal in the 400m hurdles in Potchefstroom and she believes it is possible.
'At the moment, only three or four of us have run faster than 57 seconds in the 400m hurdles for a while. Last year's senior championships didn't turn out how I had hoped. I was fifth. The positive thing I can take from that is that I must work much harder to be truly competitive in the 400m hurdles,' she concluded.
The Tuks student is also set on winning a medal at the World Student Games in Germany later this year.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Sisterhood and support shine at SPAR Women's Race
From early morning arrivals to the final stretch across the finish line, the SPAR Women's Challenge was dedicated to fitness, camaraderie, and personal achievement, whether participants were running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines. The atmosphere was one of encouragement and celebration, and Rekord was there from start to finish, speaking to spectators, participants, and staff. What stood out most was the overwhelming support from friends, families, and colleagues who came out in their thousands to back their loved ones, and shared in the accomplishment of accomplishing the 10-km milestone. The Centurion Rugby Club provided a relaxed, spectator-friendly setting with activations, music, and plenty of shade. The club ensured both runners and supporters would enjoy the day in a safe and organised environment. The SPAR Women's Challenge was once again more than just a race – it was a reminder of what community, motivation, and movement can achieve. Read more about the winners and race highlights below: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
OPINION: Pieter Coetze breaks through as SA's newest global swimming star
Last week, Coetze became the first South African in 20 years to earn three medals at a single edition of the World Aquatics Championships. After emerging as a real prospect a few years ago, Pieter Coetze experienced a couple of relatively stagnant seasons and it seemed unclear whether he would go on to achieve his apparently immense potential. However, following his performances at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore last week, the 21-year-old swimmer has proved he remains on track to become one of SA's all-time greats in the pool. In 2022, at the age of 18, Coetze claimed three medals at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and bagged five medals at the World Junior Championships in Lima, which earned the teenager the Sportsman of the Year accolade at the SA Sports Awards. And while he went on to secure bronze in the 200m backstroke at the World Championships in Doha last year, he missed out on a spot on the podium at the Olympic Games in Paris, achieving a best result of fifth place in the 100m backstroke final. But any concerns about his ability to beat the world's best were put to bed last week when Coetze delivered in spectacular fashion at the global championships. Pieter Coetze (centre) after winning gold in the 100m backstroke at the World Championships in Singapore. Picture: François-Xavier Marit/AFP Historic medal haul He earned gold in the 100m backstroke, as well as silver in the 50m and 200m backstroke events, becoming the first South African to earn three medals at an edition of the World Championships since Roland Schoeman achieved the feat in Montreal in 2005. In addition, Coetze broke new ground by shattering the African records over all three backstroke distances. In the 100m final he was particularly impressive. Aside from securing the world title, he touched the wall in 51.85, clocking the third fastest time in history over two lengths. He was just 0.25 outside the world record of 51.60 held by Thomas Ceccon of Hungary, who settled for second place in the final in Singapore in 51.90. With Tatjana Smith having retired and Chad le Clos having struggled to find his best form in the latter stages of his career, South Africa will need other swimmers to deliver in the hunt for medals at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. And Coetze looks set to lead the charge.
eNCA
3 hours ago
- eNCA
Lions hooker Sheehan banned over Lynagh incident
British and Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan has been suspended for four matches for flattening Wallabies playmaker Tom Lynagh in Saturday's third and final Test, World Rugby announced on Monday. The 26-year-old Irishman -- who captained the side for part of the 22-12 defeat after Maro Itoje suffered a head injury -- had argued his action did not merit a citing nor was it foul play. However, an independent panel disagreed, imposing the ban, although he will miss only three games if he successfully completes a coaching intervention. "The sanction has been accepted by the player," read the judgement. "In determining foul play, the Committee found that Sheehan's actions were reckless. "The Committee found that he made head contact with the Australian player, that his action amounted to a high degree of danger and that no mitigation applied." Sheehan charged into the breakdown during the first half of the clash in Sydney, appearing to elbow Lynagh in the head. It was missed by the referee and television match official (TMO), despite Lynagh leaving the field for a head injury assessment which he failed. Sheehan will miss his province Leinster's pre-season match against Cardiff and two United Rugby Championship games with South African sides the Sharks and Stormers.
