At the start of the provincial sub-youth track and field season, middle-distance runner Tyla Fourie barely gave the 200m hurdles a second thought, choosing instead to pour her energy into her specialist event, the 800m.

But the 13-year-old soon sensed she had the makings of something special. She committed to mastering the hurdles rhythm and technique, and her hard work delivered a string of consistent performances that earned her a spot at next week’s ASA sub-youth track and field championships in Potchefstroom.

“When the season started, I didn’t think much of the hurdles because I normally focus on the 800m. But when I started, I felt I could do this. I trained hard and eventually got the rhythm. My coach, Michael van Aswegen, was happy with my progress. He said I should go and give it my all,” Fourie said.

Relief and joy washed over her when she stepped onto the podium to collect her silver medal, having given everything in the U13 girls’ 200m hurdles final. She clocked 30.66 for a second-place finish at the CGA champs at the Germiston Stadium on November 22.

“It was tiring and hot today. It was tough. I had to run faster to make it. It was fun but tough. I feel great. I didn’t think I would get this far in the hurdles, but I’ve been training really hard, and it has paid off. I’m proud of myself.”

Reflecting on the race, the Laerskool Northmead Grade Seven learner admitted she knew it would be a tough race given the depth of talent in the line-up, so she kept to herself, avoided any distractions and zoned in on the challenge ahead.

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“When we came on, my coach told me to focus and not socialise. When I got to the starting blocks, I shut everything out. When the gun went off, I was in the zone and, before I knew it, it was over,” she said.

While the athlete is elated after qualifying for the nationals, she admitted that it won’t be easy once she steps on the blocks at the Puk McArthur Stadium, but she would “give it my all”.

Sharing her love for athletics, Fourie, who started running in Grade Two, said she was drawn to the sport because “I’m not a fan of team sports”.

“In team sports, you rely on others. When they don’t deliver, it’s just downhill from there. When you rely on yourself, you work hard and accomplish what you want. I love athletics. You do it on your own and depend on yourself.”

The Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) runner thanked Van Aswegen and her family for their support throughout the season.

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