Athlete’s sportsmanship warms hearts at provincials
She finished her race 10th overall in 02:08.60.
Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) junior runner Danè Rudolph set aside her own hopes of qualifying for the ASA age-group track and field championships to help a fellow competitor.
When Danè’s teammate tripped and tumbled to the ground at the start of the U9 girls’ 600m first heat, instead of carrying on with her race, the nine-year-old stopped to help the stricken athlete to her feet.
It was a scene that warmed the hearts of fellow runners and fans inside Germiston Stadium during the CGA sub-youth track and field champs on November 23.
However, this resulted in the youngster losing ground and, ultimately, ended her bid to qualify for the nationals in Bloemfontein on December 7.
Danè finished the heat sixth in 02:08.60 and placed 10th overall but she hopes her display of sportsmanship teaches fellow runners that the kind of person you are matters more than the results on the track.
“I feel I could’ve done better. I could’ve clocked a faster time. But I lost ground at the start. My teammate fell and I stopped to help her. I lost about 10 seconds. I don’t have any regrets. It was the right thing to do,” she said.
A learner at Laerskool Concordia, Danè started the season with sixth overall in 2:07.95 in the second league meeting in October and clocked a season’s best 02:05.12 for third overall, in the last league on November 9.
Had it not been for her good heart at the provincials, perhaps she could’ve achieved her goal but the fact that she managed to finish sixth in her heat despite falling behind at the start, sums up how hardworking she is.
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“It’s fun to see myself improve every time. It’s all thanks to the belief my coach has in me and the support from my family and teammates,” Danè said.
Olympics
She started running at five years old and loves the sport because she can make new friends and achieve better results.
Reflecting on her year, although the cross-country season mid-year was tough, she learnt a lot and while qualifying for the track and field nationals was the goal, she will try again next year.
“I want to be a national champion like my teammate Chelsea van Dyk and go to the Olympics one day.”
Coach Michael van Aswegen described the athlete as hardworking and dedicated.
“Danè’s been with me for two years now and does multiple sports, including netball and hockey. On the cultural side, she’s involved in things like debate. She’s a very dedicated child overall. For her, it’s about finding the balance.
“There’s no pressure from the parents or outside forces. She wants to perform well in everything she does and is young and still learning. The more Danè learns the better.”
Also Read: Race to CGA champs heats up at last league meeting
