Kehann Welgemoed, a Grade Two learner from Laerskool Randhart in Alberton, has had an outstanding year in cross-country and athletics, proving himself as one of Gauteng’s brightest young talents.
The season highlight came on September 6 at the ASA National cross-country Championships in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, where Welgemoed finished in seventh place in the U8 boys’ race with a blistering personal best time of 3:47.
This capped off a successful run in the Athletics Vaal Triangle (AVT) Clubs Cross-Country League, held from May to August.
The series consists of eight league events and the AVT provincial championship, where athletes compete for provincial colours and the chance to qualify for the national championships.
To be considered for selection, competitors must take part in at least three league events (including one township development event) as well as the provincial championships, while meeting strict A-time or B-time criteria.
Representing Boxer Athletic Club AVT, Welgemoed not only met the A-team standard but also dominated his age group, recording three of the four fastest times in the province for U8 athletes.
School achievements:
Alberton Championships (cross-country) – first place
District Championships (cross-country) – first place
Alberton Championships (400m) – third place
600m – unbeaten at school level earlier this year
Club achievements:
Vaal District Championships (cross-country) – second place
Welgemoed trains under the guidance of Buks and Carolien van Heerden, well-known distance runners at Bxact Sport Academy in Midvaal. His coaches praise both his natural ability and determination.
“Kehann is a hardworking, focused, and determined young athlete. His commitment at such a young age is inspiring, and we are excited to see where this journey will take him,” they said.
Looking ahead, Welgemoed and his family are eager to shift their focus to the club athletics season, with their sights firmly set on qualifying for the SA Championships in the 600m scheduled for December. With his passion, discipline, and impressive results so far, Kehann Welgemoed is certainly a young athlete to watch for the future.
