Junior hurdler credits Brakpan teammate for championship edge
Some of his achievements include gold medals at both the CGA and ASA age-group track and field championships, as well as the CAA U18 and U20 champs in Nigeria.
After a breakthrough 2025 that saw him blaze to a world-leading 50.68 seconds – the third fastest junior 400m hurdles time in the world – Stiaan Myburgh has set his sights higher this year, ready to go pound for pound with the country’s elite senior one-lap hurdlers.
The Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) athlete capped off his 2025 with the most promising junior athlete award at the CGA end-of-year prize-giving held at Melrose Arch on December 7.
“My goals for the next 12 months are to keep improving my times, stay healthy and compete strongly at national and senior level. I want to continue growing as a one-lap runner,” he said.
He started the year with a winning 51.42 seconds at the Curro Podium Grand Finale and Simbine Shootout last February. That performance set the tone for the rest of the year and culminated with his victorious 50.68 seconds at the CGA junior and senior track and field championships in March.
The hurdler then went on to win a gold medal at the ASA age-group track and field champs in Cape Town, clocking a quickfire 51.12 before showcasing his talent at senior champs in Potchefstroom, finishing fourth in the heats in 52.56.
“Competing at the senior level was a big step up and an excellent learning experience. Racing against older, more experienced athletes showed me where I still need to improve, especially in race execution and staying calm under pressure. Finishing fourth motivated me even more to keep pushing and improving.”
The Boksburg resident added to his collection another gold on his debut for SA at the CAA U18 and U20 championships in Nigeria in July, clinching the continental junior title in 52.69, which he said was his most memorable performance of the year.
“It was at the African Championships in Nigeria, where I won the 400m hurdles and helped my team win gold in the Swedish relay. That moment meant a lot to me because it was an international competition and I could contribute to the team’s success,” said Myburgh.
The athlete, who also competes in the 400m flat and 200m and is coached by Lindy du Plessis at Boksburg Stadium, said his training partners, 400m specialists Lythe Pillay and Brakpan resident, Leendert Koekemoer, have played a positive role in his career.
“Training with athletes like Lythe and Leendert has pushed my standards a lot. Being around athletes who have competed on the world stage raises the level of every session. It has helped me improve physically and mentally, especially in terms of discipline and consistency.”
The 18-year-old, who will switch schools from Helpmekaar Kollege to Hoërskool Kempton Park, hopes to stay consistent and injury-free, especially ahead of the World Athletics Junior Champs later this year.
“I have big dreams, but I also know that staying consistent and working hard every day is what really matters,” Myburgh said.
