Gemma Rigele’s victory in the 400m hurdles at the Confederation of School Sport Association of Southern Africa (COSSASA) Games in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, was a rewarding reminder that hard work pays off.

Representing South Africa for the first time in the regional schools competition, Rigele produced a performance she can be proud of, delivering when it mattered most after months of training and preparation.

The victory was particularly meaningful for the young St Dunstan’s College learner, who admitted to feeling a mixture of pride and relief when she realised she had achieved what she had set out to do.

“There was so much hard work that went into getting to that point, so it was an amazing feeling to see it all pay off,” said Rigele.

“Representing South Africa made the moment even more special because I knew I wasn’t only running for myself. I was also really proud that I could stay focused and perform under the pressure of competing at that level.”

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Her road to the COSSASA Games was not without its challenges.

Rigele developed an upper respiratory infection just four days before competing, forcing her to carefully manage her health and training ahead of the trip to Zimbabwe.

She was also forced to deal with last-minute changes to the programme on the eve of her race, but the experience ultimately provided an important lesson in maintaining focus when circumstances are beyond her control.

“It taught me to rather focus on what I can control and that I must focus on my race,” she said.

Beyond the result, Rigele valued the opportunity to compete alongside some of South Africa’s top young athletes and connect with competitors from other countries.
The experience has strengthened her belief in what she can achieve and given her added motivation for the future.

With the season still offering opportunities for further improvement, Rigele has identified her hurdle technique and ability to maintain speed towards the finish as key areas of focus.

“I’d love to achieve more personal bests and compete at an even higher level. COSSASA has definitely made me hungry to see how far I can take this,” she said.

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