Double delight for Reiger Park’s Louw at provincials
He won the U13 boys' 200m race in 23.91 and finished second in the 200m hurdles in 26.92.
Reiger Park sprinter Cade Louw hopes for a podium place at the ASA sub-youth track and field championships in Bloemfontein on December 7.
The Boxer AC athlete qualified for the national age-group showpiece after clinching a gold in the U13 boys’ 200m flat and silver in the 200m hurdles during the CGA provincial championships at Germiston Stadium on November 23.
He cut the tape in 23.91 for his gold in the 200m, beating Standard Bank’s Lesedi Sono who crossed the line in 24.21. His Boxer teammate Omolemo clocked 24.49 to complete the top three.
“I feel great but I could’ve run a better time. I’m going to put in more effort at practise to run a better time at the nationals,” he said.
In only his first year of running hurdles, Louw clocked a personal best 26.92 for his silver in the 200m hurdles, finishing behind winner Kitso Mokoma of Warriors of the West who won in 26.31.
“It’s my first year doing hurdles. It’s a great achievement for me but I believe I can improve and post a better time,” said Louw.
He credited his coach, Thulani Sibeko from Daveyton, for his focused training prior to the championships, saying Sibeko laid the foundation before the start of the season.
“We did some 300m runs and 20 repetitions of 40m runs, as well as jumps to perfect my hurdles technique. That helped me a lot.”
He started the season well, posting 28.87 for second place in the hurdles in the first league meeting and improving that to 27.31 in the second league.
He ran his first 200m race in the second league meeting, crossing the line in 24.77 for second place and posted 24.63 in the final league before a season best 23.91 at the provincials.
Sharing his excitement for qualifying for the nationals, Louw said, “It’s a great feeling. Hopefully, I can go there and collect a medal. I want to run in the Olympics and represent SA with the likes of Bayanda Walaza.”
Louw, who looks up to American sprinter Noah Lyles, thanked his mom for her constant support, saying he’s grateful for her presence at training and on race days.
