Erasmus looking forward to first-ever nationals
She qualified for her first national championships.
The Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) hurdler Charnè Erasmus grabbed a bronze medal and clocked a top-four finish in her two hurdles events during the CGA age-group track and field championships on November 23 at Germiston Stadium.
The 13-year-old clocked 12.19 to secure the bronze in the fiercely contested U13 girls’ 75m hurdles, won by national champion Mieke van der Merwe from Hoërskool Randburg.
Van der Merwe cut the tape in 12.04 and was followed home by runner-up Remoratile Ramokgadi from Warriors of the West (WOW) in 12.11, with Erasmus completing the top three.
After finishing her 200m hurdles heat in third place, behind Van der Merwe and Kayla Hopley, she was demoted to fourth overall after clocking the fourth fastest time in the event.
Erasmus crossed the line in 31.05, with Ramokgadi winning in 29.42 and Hopley grabbing the silver in 30.16. Van der Merwe rounded-up the podium in 30.69.
“I’m elated with my performances today. I trained hard and I love hurdles because I feel free when I run. I feel at home on the track. I’m grateful to have achieved these results. It shows my hard work paid off,” she told the paper.
Next up for the Laerskool Baanbrekker Grade Seven learner is the small matter of that epic assignment of her first ever Athletics South Africa (ASA) sub-youth track and field championships on December 7 in Bloemfontein.
“I’ve participated in the schools Gauteng championships and was grateful to run in my first club champs. I’m now focused on going to the nationals for the first time. That’s been my goal and I’m happy to have achieved it,” Erasmus said.
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The runner, coached by top athletics coach Lini Berowsky du Plessis, looks up to Olympian and Brentwoodpark resident Lythe Pillay, saying the national 400m champion’s work ethic inspires her.
“He trains hard and always gives his best. He’s taught me to never give up and always give it my all. My mom is my biggest supporter. She always motivates me to keep going and never stop.”
Other results
Erasmus’ club teammate Lian du Plessis secured a pair of silvers in the U7 60m and 80m sprints. He ran the 60m dash in 09.66 and clocked 12.66 in the 80m to qualify for the nationals. High jumper Alexis Nel cleared 1.50m for a silver in the U13 girls’ high jump.
“I’m happy i’m going to the nationals. Thanks to everyone who supported me today. I’m excited and happy for my silver medal. I will give it my best at the nationals,” said Nel.
Mikayla Booyen won a gold in the U9 girls’ 60m race and a bronze in the 80m, while Marcus du Plessis and Lea Pretorius finished their events fifth and fourth overall, respectively.
Divan Schalkwyk was seventh in the U13 boys’ 200m hurdles while thrower Lanelda Herbst managed a bronze in the U13 girls’ shot put after throwing 10.54m.
The Jansen AC’s Ewald Taljaard continued his dominance in the U13 shot put and discus with massive throws of 15.73 in the shot put and 38.86 in the discus to win the golds and qualify for the nationals.
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