Germiston athlete Simphiwe Mtimkulu returned to the track after sustaining a hamstring injury, which forced him on the sidelines for three years.

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Mtimkulu attended Alberton Primary School where he began his athletic journey in Grade Four. He is now a member of the Diamond Elite Camp.

Born into a family of sportsmen and women, Mtimkulu considers himself the hybrid of both his parents.

“My mum and dad did athletics and my mother was a 200m specialist. If there is one thing that I inherited from them, it is speed and love for athletics,” said Mtimkulu.

In 2019, he sustained a hamstring injury, which saw him watch sports from the sidelines for almost three years.

“It is a blessing to have both my parents support me through all the hardship. As sportspeople, they understand what it takes to be the best every time.”

The 21-year-old has been training to make his comeback.

“Since I have sustained the injury, I have been monitoring my process and I can tell I am better now. My coach told me I can return and compete because he has been monitoring me as well.

“Right now, I would love to run my personal best record and continue going forward. I am training for the SA Championships and IAAF competitions with my ultimate goal being to qualify for the Olympics.”

Mtimkulu is also an academic-driven person with dreams of one day becoming an electrical engineer with a qualification from Ekurhuleni West College.

He also completed a sports management course at Boston City College.