Any athletics fan in Central Gauteng who closely followed proceedings during the recent track and field season would not be far off the mark in describing it as Caitlyn Dukoff-Gordon’s breakthrough campaign.

While the 16-year-old has collected medals in previous seasons, including a gold medal for Team SA at last year’s Confederation of Schools Sports of Southern Africa (COSSASA) Games in Eswatini, this season proved to be the standout one for the Germiston Callies Harriers AC middle-distance sensation.

By her own admission, though, the season did not begin according to plan.

“In the beginning, it was very hard. I started off a bit late, but in the end peaked at the right time. I just improved throughout the season,” she said.

After a slow start, Dukoff-Gordon lit up the Germiston Stadium track with a string of blistering performances during the CGA track and field league phase, eventually claiming gold at the championships at UJ Athletics Stadium in 2:18.14.

However, it was at the ASA Age Group Championships at Germiston Stadium where the Edenvale resident truly showcased her immense talent.

Competing in the final of the U18 girls’ 800m, won by the brilliant Lara Stander, Dukoff-Gordon found herself off the pace heading into the closing stages, with Stander and Jessie Nel seemingly having secured gold and silver respectively.

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But the determined youngster dug deep and unleashed a devastating finishing kick down the home straight to storm into third place in a personal best 2:08.47, slicing 3.32 seconds off her previous best of 2:11.79.

“I started off slowly and fell off the pace a bit. I suddenly got motivated, I just kicked and everything went well from there,” said Dukoff-Gordon.

Her efforts saw her finish the season as Central Gauteng’s top-ranked U18 girls’ 800m athlete and the third fastest in the country, while also earning a second consecutive ASA age-group championships bronze medal.

Despite her remarkable campaign, the multi-talented athlete, who also excels in swimming and triathlon, narrowly missed out on selection for the World Junior Championships in the USA in August.

“I tried this year, but only the top two could make the team. Lara and Jessie were very good. Hopefully, I will qualify for the next championships,” she said.

Like her idol, Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, Dukoff-Gordon dreams of one day competing on the sport’s grandest stage.

“It would mean a lot to me. It’s always been my goal ever since I was a little child. I’ve always dreamt of the Olympics.”

With the track and field season now behind her, Dukoff-Gordon has shifted her focus to the cross-country campaign, where she hopes to successfully defend her provincial 2km title and earn another opportunity to represent CGA at the national championships in Pretoria in September.

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