Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) high-jump sensation Karla Smit has set her sights on clearing 1.60m before the end of the CGA sub-youth track and field season in December.

The 12-year-old, whose personal best stands at 1.55m, opened her campaign with a 1.40m clearance for second place at the first CGA sub-youth track and field league meeting at Germiston Stadium on September 24.

Despite being disappointed with her season opener, Smit is determined to put in the work and bounce back at the next meeting.

“I’m not happy. I could have done better. My marks were not right. I want to jump 1.60m. I will try again at the next league meeting,” she said.

Inspired by her mother, who was also a high jumper, Smit knows achieving her target will require persistence but believes it is only a matter of time before she produces a new personal best.

“I want to qualify for the national championships in December. Once I achieve my 1.60m goal, I will attempt 1.65m at nationals, which will hopefully earn me a place on the podium.”

For Smit, high jump is about more than chasing medals and records. It is also a way of continuing her mother’s journey while pursuing her own dream of representing South Africa on the international stage.

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“My mom did high jump, but she hurt herself. I’m doing this for her. I started jumping two years ago. I find the sport calming, and my dream is to represent our country at the Olympic Games and World Championships,” said Smit.

Selected BAC results

The blue and white of BAC featured prominently throughout the day as the club’s young athletes joined their provincial counterparts in beginning their journey towards the national championships in December.

In the field events, Esmè Steyn finished third in the high jump with a 1.35m clearance, behind Smit, while Quinn Barnard also claimed third in the U11 girls’ long jump with 3.55m.

Tovè van Wyk launched his javelin 20.41m, while Ben Venter finished fifth in the U11 boys’ long jump with 3.81m.

Christo Swardt threw 21.11m in the javelin to finish third, while Keagan James was second in the turbo-javelin with 15.90m.

On the track, Zianè de Klerk, Jade Salinger and Emma Salinger showcased their versatility with strong performances across the sprint events.

De Klerk won the U11 girls’ 80m in 11.21 and finished third overall in the 100m in 14.13. She also clocked 12.55 for fourth in the 70m hurdles.

Emma clocked 09.08 for second in the U9 girls’ 60m and followed that with another second-place finish in the 80m in 12.12. She also placed 10th overall in the 600m at the start of the programme.

Jade, meanwhile, finished fourth in the U9 girls’ 600m in 02:02.16 before clocking 09.61 in the 60m and 12.64 in the 80m to finish 10th and ninth, respectively.
The next CGA sub-youth track and field meeting will be held at Germiston Stadium on October 3.

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