In-form Steyn targets national championships
She has a PB of 38.17m in the discus and 12.99m in the shot put.
Discus and shot put thrower Amorè Steyn feels her hard work over the past five years is paying off as she looks to qualify for the ASA Junior and Youth Championships in Cape Town in March.
The Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) youngster started the season positively after notching first-place finishes in both events in two Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) open track and field league meetings at the Germiston Stadium on January 25 and February 1.
“I have a different feeling this year. My technique has improved, and I’ve got an amazing coach. I’m inspired this year,” she said.
In the first meeting, the 14-year-old tossed a massive 37.27m in the discus and 12.94m in the shot put to lead the U16 girls’ standings in both events.
Steyn, from Springs, showed incredible improvements in the second league meeting when she threw a season best 12.99m in the shot put while posting an improved 37.73m in the discus.
“Today was a good day. It went as I wanted. I got the distance I wanted in the shot put. I also threw a great distance in the discus.”
Between the two CGA events, the thrower showed her mettle at the Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria during the Wildeklawer TUT Top 14, hosted by Curro Hazeldean, on January 29.
The Hoërskool Hugenote Grade Nine learner finished second in the U15 girls’ shot put after throwing 12.70m before breaking a record in the discus after tossing a PB 38.17m to finish first to be named the best junior field at the event.
“I got a message afterwards that I was chosen as the best field athlete of the meet. I was happy when I heard that. It’s a great achievement because it’s the top 14 schools,” said Steyn.
After her fourth place at the Athletics South Africa age-group track and field inter-provincials in Secunda in 2023, Steyn is plotting her first nationals podium, which will be a reward for her five years of dedication to the sport.
“I will be happy if I qualify for either discus or shot put. It will be like my life’s work has been rewarded. I started practising in Grade Four. Each year until now, I’ve fallen short. It would mean a lot because I’ve put in a lot of effort in the past five years.”
She fell in love with athletics early, and once she realised she was good at it, she never looked back. While the track events were attractive, Steyn always felt comfortable with a shot put ball or discus in her hand.
“God gave me a talent and ability to use it. I went with the flow when I started doing it and saw I was good at it. The throwing events are my favourite. I don’t have to run around and feel like I’m dying before winning something. I love it and am passionate about it,” she said.
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