Latest news with #Tuks
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Tuks doctor aims for historic 30th Comrades Marathon finish
MILESTONE HUNTING Llewelyn Curlewis, a University of Pretoria doctor, aims to complete his historic 30th Comrades Marathon, as he highlights the mental and physical challenges of the race. Seen here: Curlewis during his prime. Picture supplied. Age and injury have not stopped the Tuks runner from lining up each year for the historic race in KwaZulu-Natal between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. Back in the mid-90s, Curlewis laced up to take on his first Comrades and he has not looked back since. One such tale is that of Llewelyn Curlewis. The University of Pretoria (Tuks) doctor in the Procedural Law Department, will be hoping to finish his 30th Comrades. While names like Gerda Steyn and Piet Wiersma will likely steal the headlines at the Comrades Marathon on Sunday, there are thousands more unique stories waiting to be told. The mental and physical challenges of the Comrades Marathon "I've never been able to say no to a good adventure. That's just my personality,' said Curlewis. 'My first Comrades was exactly 30 years ago. For me, there really is little or no difference between the so-called "up" or "down" races. What most people don't realise is that every uphill climb has a corresponding downhill in the opposite direction. The place is not known as the Valley of 1,000 Hills for nothing. But yeah, I prefer an 'up' because of the challenge.' While many will see running close to 90 kilometres as a purely physical endeavour, Curlewis explained why it's just as much of a mental challenge. "The Comrades is as much a mental torture as an endurance race. You need a strong body and a strong head. Whatever you do, do it moving forward. Even if it's just a short walk, remember to drink water. I once heard someone say a long time ago that 'nothing is impossible until you are you know what, today is a good day to die trying at least'." Back in his prime, Curlewis managed a personal best time of seven hours and three minutes. These days, his goals have shifted due to the passing years. "The time when I was capable of such times is unfortunately over. Getting older is not for sissies. Sunday, the goal is to finish under 10 hours.' Ultimately though, Curlewis said running is a great activity for the masses. "It doesn't matter if you're young or old, whether you're an aspiring Olympic athlete or just doing it for the nice cold beer afterwards, do it. Running has a way of making you forget about all the other worries of life. It's the one sport where everyone is equal. Regardless of who or what you think you are or where you come from. There's a distance to suit everyone's ability. It can be done almost every day, and sweating has never hurt anyone." @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
TimesLIVE
16-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Catherine van Rensburg in pool and open-water championship squads
Midmar Mile champion Catherine van Rensburg has been named in the world championship teams for pool and open-water swimming. The Tuks swimmer is down to compete in the 1,500m freestyle in the makeshift pool in Singapore, while in the open-water action at Sentosa section she will take on the 5km, 10km and 1,500m relay. A total of 17 pool swimmers and seven open-water swimmers were named by Swimming South Africa on Thursday, with the squads being posted on Facebook, though it's not clear if all will make the trip. Backstroke star Pieter Coetzé and breaststroker Kaylene Corbett, finalists at the 2024 Paris Olympics, are in the team, as is Rebecca Meder, the mainstay of the national team that took part at the world short-course championships in Budapest late last year. There will also be much interest in the performance of teenager Chris Smith, who made a final at the short-course gala in Hungary.
The Citizen
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Centurion athlete continues to seek higher accolades
Centurion boasts a vast pool of young talent making their mark in sports, and among those rising through the ranks is 21-year-old Riandré Botha. Botha is a dedicated athlete from Highveld whose strength and commitment are propelling her into the national spotlight. Her journey into athletics began at the young age of six. She explained that what initially drew her to athletics, particularly the throwing disciplines, was the sense of personal growth and the satisfaction of seeing hard work translate into tangible performance. 'I participated in sprint races, but I discovered my true passion for throwing events when I turned 13,' she said. 'I love the individual aspect of the sport and being able to see how each competition reflects the effort I've put into my training.' Botha described her neighbourhood as student-friendly and conveniently close to campus, which is especially beneficial for someone like her who is juggling studies and sports. 'I try to attend every class. If I miss a class, I inform my lecturers in advance and make sure to catch up on any missed work. If I don't understand something, I don't hesitate to ask my lecturers for help,' she said. She said balancing athletics with academics hasn't been easy, but she has managed it by staying organised and communicating effectively with her lecturers. 'You're going to have days when it feels like there's no time, but planning ahead makes all the difference.' Botha emphasised that her family, particularly her mother, plays a key role in supporting her dreams. She mentioned that her mom does everything possible to attend competitions and encourages every decision she makes in her athletic journey. 'My mom is very supportive of my athletic decisions,' Botha said. When preparing for major competitions, she trains at Hoërskool Zwartkop and Tuks. However, when she is not busy studying or training, she enjoys coaching, where she mentors both primary and high school students in athletics, netball, and cricket. For her, coaching is another way to give back and stay connected to the sports she loves. Botha draws inspiration from Valarie Allman, one of the world's greatest athletes in the discus. Like her role model, she is steadily building a name for herself. At the recent Athletics South Africa (ASA) Championships, held in Cape Town from March 27 to 29, she won a bronze medal in the Women's U/23 shot put with a throw of 10.60m and a silver in the Women's U/23 discus, setting a new personal best of 43.70m. Botha stated that the build-up to the championships required long hours in the gym and on the field, but she felt confident going into the event due to the effort she had invested. 'Participating in the championships was a culmination of every challenge, throw, and breakthrough. 'It was more than just a title or medal; it was a testament to the commitment, encouragement, and faith that brought me this far,' she explained. She added that her expectations were to achieve a personal best in the discus and win medals in both events. Accomplishing those goals left her feeling proud and hopeful for the future. Following her stellar performance, she was selected to represent the Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) Senior Team at the upcoming ASA Senior Championships, taking place in Potchefstroom from April 24 to 26. 'I just want to keep improving my distance and see the results of the things we've worked on in practice,' she said. Tim Verne, spokesperson for the Newbridge Graduate Institute (NGI) where Botha studies, praised her performance. He noted that her recent achievements are not solely about medals but also about her consistency, discipline, and high standards. 'Her recent triumphs at the ASA Championships have been commendable,' said Verne. 'They serve as an inspiration to her fellow discus team members, competitors, and peers alike.' He added that her commitment to both her education and her sport makes her an ideal role model for others aiming to pursue similar ambitions. 'She's a prime example of the value of education and dedication to self-improvement,' he said. Cisna Botes, principal of NGI, remarked that Riandré's path is a shining example of what can be accomplished with dedication and purpose. 'She stands out for her commitment, perseverance, and passion, and her story is only just beginning,' said Botes. Botha encourages young athletes in Centurion to believe in themselves and never give up, no matter how tough the journey becomes. 'There will be days when it feels like there's no time for everything,' she said, 'but if you plan ahead, there's always a way.' As she looks to the future, Botha has her sights set on winning next year's U/23 ASA Championships, placing in the top eight at the senior level, and ultimately qualifying for the African Championships and the Olympics. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Van Niekerk loves the challenge of being faster each time she races
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@ 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!
