Brent is brilliant on his BMX in Baku, Azerbaijan
The Farrarmere Primary School learner is quite a sporty guy.
Farrarmere Primary School learner and Benoni Agricultural Holdings resident Brent Johnson (12) recently represented South Africa at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) BMX World Championships, which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The BMX racing talent retained his world number (#W5), for finishing fifth in the world in the boys 12 age category final.
The young racer achieved the same feat last year when he won a world number for the first time at the world championships in Rockhill, South Carolina in the USA.
In the final against seven other boys from around the world, the Benonian BMXer had the chance to claim a much-desired third place, but unfortunately, let some of his competitors sneak ahead of him to see him retain the number five position he achieved in 2017.
“I was excited and nervous, the competition was quite good.
“Ronnie Kim from the USA, the guy who came first, has won the world champs like six times.
“It felt good to finish fifth, but I thought I could have done a bit better and at least get a third place.
“I will need to train harder and get out of the gate faster next time.”
His love for BMX racing was ignited after he had his sixth birthday party at the track at the Kempton Park BMX Club and he has not looked back.
Johnson harbours a dream of someday representing South Africa in BMX racing at the Olympic Games, but for now, he knows that a lot of effort is needed to turn that dream into reality.
Now his focus will turn to the next world championships in Belgium in 2019.
Johnson, who has won the national BMX championships in his age group three times in succession as well as the African Continental Championships in Zimbabwe in 2016, is not just a BMX racer.
The Grade Six learner is an all-round sporty guy.
He plays soccer, does athletics, runs cross-country and is a fish in the swimming pool, having recently earned the Victor Ludorum for swimming at his school.
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