Buddy Zackey underlined his class when he delivered a 400m masterclass to clock a sub-50 and win the U20 men’s race during the last CGA open track and field league meeting on February 28.

Zackey set Germiston Stadium ablaze with a blistering run in the one-lap dash. The 17-year-old blasted out of the blocks and attacked the stagger with intent.

Facing a strong headwind on the back straight, the Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) junior runner elected to reserve energy and only launched his attack in the last 150m to win his heat in 49.04, becoming the only athlete in the division to finish under 50 seconds.

“I’m really pleased with the result. Going into the race, my intention was to open up comfortably but still strong. I expected it to be a fast race, but I had to adjust my race plan slightly because of the weather and the level of competition.

“With the headwind on the back straight, I focused on building momentum into the bend and then floating through the back straight to minimise the impact of the wind. From about the 150m mark, I started my final kick and pushed hard into the home straight,” said Zackey.

This was a nice precursor to what the Benonian plans to do at the CGA champs, scheduled from March 12 to 13 at the UJ Athletics Stadium, in his bid to qualify for the ASA junior and youth track and field championships at the end of the month.

“Going into the provincials next weekend, the plan is to stay focused, execute my race strategy well and hopefully produce another strong performance.

“I currently compete in both the 200m and the 400m, but the 400m is probably my specialist event. I enjoy it because it combines speed and endurance, and it’s a race that really challenges you both physically and mentally.”

Zackey started early in his life, but he only took the sport seriously after watching one-lap specialist and fellow Benonian, Lythe Pillay, who boasts 400m titles from the 2022 World Athletics U20 Champs, 2024 ASA senior nationals, and 2025 World Student Games.

“Watching Lythe win gold at the World University Games in Germany really inspired me to take running seriously again. I’m also fortunate to know him on a personal level. He’s genuinely one of the nicest and most humble people you’ll meet. Seeing how hard he works and how he carries himself as an athlete representing South Africa is really inspiring,” he said.

Watching the national 4x400m relay team clinch bronze at the Paris Olympics ignited the St Dunstan’s College learner’s passion for the sport.

“Seeing that level of competition and teamwork made me fall in love with athletics even more.”

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