Giving up not an option for Joshua

It was on the bend just before the finishing straight at Germiston Stadium where Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) junior runner Joshua Helena displayed his improvement since linking up with coach Nkanyiso Mthembu.

Running in the CGA age-group track and field championships on November 23, in the second heat of the U9 boys’ 600m, Joshua was somewhere in the middle as the runners lined up in single file chasing the leading trio of Josh Botha, Joshua Jacobs and Daniel Grobler after 300m.

With a place in the team going to the nationals on December 6 and 7 at stake, Helena upped the ante and began his ascendance up the order.

At the 400m mark, the nine-year old came on the outside to move away from the chasing bunch and accelerated on the last bend to eventually finish the heat fourth in a PB 01:54.61, behind Botha, Jacobs and Grobler.

He posted the sixth-best time in the distance, which set him up to earn his provincial colours for the second time in 2024.

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Although he missed out on a place in the CGA nationals team because he didn’t run the required number of league meetings, that performance showed massive improvements from the 2:00.36 he posted in his only league on November 9.

The Arbor Primary Grade Four learner credited his drive and determination to hard work, teamwork and motivation from Mthembu.

“It’s all because of my fighting spirit, determination and faith in not giving up,” he said.

Joshua’s highlight of 2024 was wearing the BNAC colours but the most fulfilling moment was representing his province at the ASA national cross-country championships in the Vaal in September.

“The highlight was training for the club with my teammates under coach Nkanyiso. I was proud to represent my province. It was exciting and it felt good. I’m determined to do it again.”

The athlete said his father, Justin, who is a permanent fixture at his races, is his biggest supporter, adding that it’s Justin’s full backing that enables him to fulfil his goals.

He started running at the end of June and loves the sport because “it’s fun, exciting, challenging and shows me that hard work pays off”.

Also Read: Van Aswegen and Mthembu do it for Northerns