Dominique Broughton is proving to be a rare breed of young athlete, one who thrives on the track and the trail.

The Benoni Northerns Athletic Club junior runner has not only made a name for herself as a rising star in athletics, but recently conquered new terrain by clinching the nipper category (ages eight to 10) national title at the Schools Cycling SA Primary Schools finals at Merensky Lanbou Akademie in Tzaneen, on October 11 and 12.

This achievement underlined the Arbor Primary learner’s status as one of Benoni’s most versatile sporting talents.
After the multitalented athlete’s stellar run in the Gauteng Mountain Bike series, where she placed third overall in the U9 category, she was selected to represent the province at the national showpiece.

Seeded at the back on the first day of the event, Broughton found her way on the podium, beating the humid conditions to clock a second-place finish overall.

On the final day, which pitted the top three riders per province against each other, she put foot pedal, leading the race from the first uphill to ultimately clinch the national U9 nipper girls’ title.

Reflecting on the race, she said she was proud of her achievement and thanked her coaches for their relentless support.

“I was shocked at first, but everything went accordingly on the day. The weather, thoughts, bike and body all came together. I’m proud to be ranked first. After a year of battling sickness, mechanical challenges and having to get used to a new bike, I feel I deserve it,” she said.

“I thank my coaches, Jeremy Maartens from Bikecraft High Performance Coaching and coach Karli Smalberger from Velocity Coaching and Performance, the mechanics who work on the bike each week and my running coach, Michael van Aswegen, for ensuring I’m fit.

“I also thank my dad, Justin, who had knee surgery before the event but still showed up and managed the tech zone for me without a complaint.”

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