Brakpan AC sprinter Jessica Botha delivered one of the most emotional moments at the CGA Track and Field Championships, dedicating her U20 women’s 100m title to her late father and her mother, who recently overcame cancer.

After settling for a disappointing third place in the 200m on March 13, the Freeway Park resident bounced back in style the following day, storming to gold in the 100m with a blistering run down the straight.

“I’m feeling really good. Yesterday wasn’t the best day. I’ve just come back from a hamstring injury and this win means everything to me. I prayed for it and God came through for me,” she said.

Botha entered the championships as one of the favourites in both sprint events, following a string of scintillating performances during the CGA league season. However, a nagging hamstring injury threatened to derail her campaign.

The 17-year-old Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen learner opened her programme in the 200m, running with a heavily strapped right thigh. She showed her class by winning her heat in 24.53 seconds, but the final proved a tougher test.

Exploding out of the blocks, Botha looked set to challenge for gold and was locked in a fierce battle with UTS sprinter Mikayla Bester heading into the final 100m. But with 50m remaining, the injury took its toll. Despite a visible limp, she dug deep to secure bronze in 24.35.

Bester claimed the title in 24.00, with her teammate Kylie van Oudtshoorn finishing second in 24.26.

Undeterred, Botha returned for the 100m on March 14 with renewed determination. She clocked 11.82 in her heat before producing a statement performance in the final.

Out of the blocks with purpose, she powered down the track, flipping the script on her rivals. Bester had no answer this time as Botha surged clear to win in a rapid 11.78.

Bester settled for second in 11.84, while Van Oudtshoorn completed the podium in 12.17.

Drawing inspiration from her mother’s battle and triumph over cancer, Botha said the victory carried deep personal meaning.

“My target for nationals is to be the best version of myself. I’m running for myself, my father and my mom, who has just beaten cancer. I’m very proud of her. She’s one of my biggest role models. She pushed through the hardest time,” she said.

Reflecting on her journey this season, Botha credited the challenges she faced for strengthening her mentally.

“You need the breakdowns to get back up. You can’t always be the best. My mom always says to me that ‘you win some, you lose some’.”

Other results

Another Brakpan AC sprinter, Donovan Janse van Vuuren, also from Freeway Park, impressed in the U20 men’s sprints, securing silver in the 200m in 20.87 and adding a bronze in the 100m with a time of 10.60.

Also Read: Botha on course for national champs

Also Read: Jansen van Vuuren has sights on national U20 records