For Grade 11 learner Atang Legodi at Dawnview High School, every medal tells a story of perseverance, resilience, and determination to overcome obstacles.

The 18-year-old from Marathon informal settlement has emerged as one of the school’s standout athletes, excelling in cross-country, road running and middle-distance events, while also playing a key role for the school’s girls’ soccer team.

A versatile runner, Legodi competes in cross-country, the 800m, 1 500m and 3 000m events, and has also taken part in road races.

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Away from sport, she enjoys reading in her spare time. Ironically, running was never part of her plans.
“I wasn’t a runner at first,” she said.

“A schoolmate invited me to train with him, and that’s when I started enjoying the sport.”

Her rapid rise was evident from her very first race, when she finished second in her debut. Encouraged by the result, she began competing in school athletics.

Initially, under the guidance of schoolmate Sipho Khoza, she trained and raced against boys.

“I finished last,” she recalled. “But when the actual competition came, I won all my events.”

Legodi admits she almost never discovered her athletic talent because she was diagnosed with asthma.

“In Grade Eight, I didn’t participate in any sport because I am asthmatic,” she said.

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“In Grade Nine, Khoza told me he saw potential in me and invited me to train.”

She quickly made an impression at inter-school competitions, finishing second in both the 1 500m and 3 000m events.

“I wanted to test myself, so I didn’t pursue it seriously at first,” she said.

The following year, her passion for athletics grew stronger.

“I went back to compete at school level and finished second in the 3 000m and 1 500m, and third in the 800m.”

This year, Legodi earned district honours after finishing second at the Ekurhuleni District Championships to qualify for the provincial championships.

Her achievements extend beyond the track.

Recently, she competed at the Champions League Cross Country event in Kempton Park, finishing second in the girls’ under-19 race.

Her club, the Rhinos, secured fourth place overall, while the team also finished on the podium overall.

“I was shocked when our team finished in the medal positions,” she said.

The race was particularly challenging as she was recovering from an injury sustained during a soccer match.

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“My father inspired me to push through everything,” she said.

“We trained together, and he motivated me.”

Earlier this year, father and daughter shared a memorable milestone by completing the 5km event at the MiWay Wally Hayward Marathon in Centurion on May 1.

Legodi completed the race in 27 minutes to claim a gold medal, while her father also earned gold.

“It was my first marathon event, and having my father next to me made it a very special moment.”

She later added another road race to her growing list of achievements by competing in the Soshanguve Great Run 10km on June 20.

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Athletics is a family passion.

Legodi says her relatives continue to inspire her pursuit of excellence.

“I love the sport. Looking back, my family is also invested in running. My uncle recently received a Bill Rowan Medal at the Comrades Marathon, and my aunt has completed the Comrades Marathon for five consecutive years.”

While athletics occupies much of her time, soccer remains equally important.

Legodi has represented Dawnview High School’s girls’ soccer team since 2024 and has established herself as one of the team’s most dependable defenders.

She played a vital role in helping the team reach the Ekurhuleni Invitational Cup final for a second consecutive year after they also reached the final in 2025.

“This year we reached the cup final again, but lost on penalties,” she said.

“In the league we finished runners-up, with only one loss against the eventual champions.”

She also highlighted the team’s memorable semi-final victory over Bedfordview before the team fell to Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School in the final.

Her outstanding performances earned her the Player of the Match award in this year’s cup final, an accolade she believes reflects the hard work she has invested in her game.

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Legodi was also instrumental in helping Dawnview retain the GASA Shield for a third consecutive year.

She credits Olympic champion Caster Semenya as one of her biggest sporting inspirations, alongside her aunt, whose dedication to the Comrades Marathon continues to motivate her.

Long before her success at high school, Legodi’s athletic ability was already evident when she was named Athlete of the Year at Klopper Park Primary School.

Despite living with asthma, Legodi refuses to allow her condition to define her ambitions. Instead, she believes it has strengthened her resolve to pursue her dream of becoming a professional athlete.

With a growing medal collection, district honours, success in cross country and road running, and leadership on the soccer field, Legodi continues to prove that determination can overcome even the toughest obstacles.

Her coach, Sandile Dlamini, said he is immensely proud of her achievements and the resilience she has shown in overcoming challenges along the way.

Dlamini described her as a highly ambitious learner who is always eager to improve, both academically and on the sports field.

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“In class, she is always eager to participate,” he said.

“She asks questions, requests additional question papers and is constantly looking for opportunities to learn more.”

He added that her determination to succeed has been evident at every stage of competition.

“She has demonstrated a real hunger to achieve more, and her performances continue to improve. What happened last year has not affected her current performances. She remains focused and committed to reaching greater heights.”

On the soccer field, Dlamini said she has been a key figure in the team’s defence.

“She has been integral to our back line. The only league match we lost was the one she was unavailable for due to injury. She leads the back four, commands the defence and gives confidence to the rest of the team.”

He recalled one match in which she suffered a nosebleed but refused to leave the field.

“She had a nosebleed during the game but continued playing. That shows how much she believes in herself and how determined she is to help the team win,” said Dlamini.