Mamepe Striders Academy middle-distance runner Lefa Kwanele heads into the CGA track and field season this weekend with confidence, as he targets qualification for the age-group national championships, scheduled for Germiston Stadium in March.

The rising athlete will contest the U23 men’s 800m, 1500m and 5000m, taking on a demanding programme as he looks to establish himself among the province’s leading young middle-distance runners.

“I go into the season at my peak. I’m confident I will run good times. I’ve also seen my potential. We are going forward. It’s better than last year,” he said.

Kwanele plans to use the upcoming league meetings to hunt down the qualifying standards in all three events, aiming to arrive at the provincial championships at UJ Athletics Stadium, also in March, in a strong and comfortable position, with his national ticket firmly within reach.

“We are chasing the qualifying times in the leagues to make it easy at the provincials. My wish is to qualify for both the U23 and senior champs.”

The Langaville resident admitted it won’t be easy to achieve his goal, but is confident of a good run in the three-and-three-quarter-lap 1500m event, where he will likely face stiff competition from the likes of Sbusiso Msibi and Keagan Botha.

“I’m targeting the 1500m. I can feel that I have it in my legs to run well in the event. The only way to ensure I win is to maintain the way I run and also be able to apply my mind correctly in pressure situations. I have to manage how I run to ensure I achieve my goals,” said Kwanele.

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While he has already earned provincial colours in cross-country, success on the track has so far eluded him – despite it being his preferred discipline.

He said qualification for the national championships, scheduled to take place from March 26 to 28, would be a clear indication that his track career is finally moving in the right direction.

“I love track and field. It would mean a lot if I qualify. It would show that hard work does pay off.”

Though he never liked athletics, a medal, voucher and trophy at the Garbie Relay Race at Olympia Park in Springs in 2018 ignited his love for the sport.

“My younger brother used to run. We went to the Garbie Relay Race. I ran in the relay. I fell in love. I then joined Ulinda AC in KwaThema. In my first year of running, I qualified for the cross-country nationals,” Kwanele said.

Athletics has taught the 23-year-old humility and discipline.

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