Van Dyk named most promising junior at CGA Awards
She dominated her age-group this year to win national titles in the 1 500m and 3 000m on the track and the 4km cross-country U14 crown.
Chelsea van Dyk capped a remarkable year in style, winning the most promising junior female athlete of the year award at the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Awards Gala at Melrose Arch on December 7.
The Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) junior athlete was a deserving winner of the provincial accolade after delivering commanding performances provincially and nationally.
She began the year with three provincial titles at the CGA track and field championships at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Athletics Stadium in March, clinching U16 girls’ 1 500m, 1 500m steeplechase and 3 000m titles.
Two weeks later at the ASA U16, U18, U20 and U23 championships at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, the St Dunstan’s College learner set a new PB in the 1 500m, winning the national title in 04:22.39. She completed her championship double after clinching the U16 girls’ 3 000m in 09:41.22.
Van Dyk, coached by Michael van Aswegen, carried the momentum into the cross-country season, winning all her league meeting races, before concluding with a dominant victory at the provincial champs at the Germiston Soccer Club in August.
Also Read: Van Dyk unstoppable in Middelburg
The Central Gauteng athlete then obliterated the field at the ASA cross-country champs in Middelburg on September 7, with her trademark burst of power leaving the field choking on dust as she won the U14 girls’ 4km title in 14:08 for a third national title in 2025.
“It’s always awesome to get rewarded for the hard work you put in. It’s nice that CGA recognises this and hopefully it leads to more opportunities in the future to represent both my province and country,” she said.
Asked about her most memorable moments of the season, Van Dyk said, “Winning both the 3 000m and 1 500m at the ASA champs in Cape Town and running my first world lead in the 1 500m for U18 girls”.
Looking ahead, the Rynfield Primary alumnus is keeping her cards to her chest, only saying, “I have big goals for the new season. You will have to wait and see.”
Van Aswegen, who had four athletes, Jade Doran, Micheal Bekker, Chemenè Mentz and Van Dyk, recognised at the CGA Awards, explained he’s “extremely proud of the achievements of this year’s group”.
“Having athletes that are all working together, supporting each other and encouraging each other to chase those unimaginable goals really sets the tone for the entire group. As a coach, I’m blessed to be working with these amazing athletes,” Van Aswegen said.
Also Read: Van Dyk completes distance double at nationals
