Local athletes shine at national championships
He led his group to five medals, while there were PBs and improvement from others in the team.
Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) junior coach Michael van Aswegen watched months of planning, patience and belief come together in emphatic fashion as his athletes lit up the ASA U16, U18, U20 and U23 track and field championships with a string of standout performances.
Leading the charge was middle-distance star Chelsea van Dyk, who delivered a commanding distance double, successfully defending her 1 500m and 3 000m titles.
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Steeplechaser Jade Doran added a memorable gold of her own, while Michael Bekker showcased his consistency against elite competition, securing silver in both the U18 men’s 1 500m and 3 000m.
For Van Aswegen, the results were deeply personal – particularly Doran’s triumph after a difficult build-up to the championships.
“Words don’t even begin to describe how proud I am,” he said.
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“You set goals off the back of last season, and you always hope the athletes work towards those goals. We knew, coming into this year, that Jade would need to go sub-seven to challenge for the title. The standard internationally is around 6:30, so that’s what we’ve been working towards – chipping away at the SA record and closing that gap.”
He revealed the belief he instilled in Doran moments before her race. “I told her I believe you’ve got 6:15 in you.”
Team culture
Van Aswegen, also a coach at Hoërskool Kempton Park, credits much of the squad’s success not to his voice alone, but to the culture within the group.
“It’s not so much what I do behind the scenes,” he explained. “It’s the athletes themselves. They push each other, they support each other, and they don’t want to let their training partners down. That’s what lifts the standard.”
Beyond the medals, the coach highlighted the importance of long-term development, pointing to rising talents who are beginning to find their footing on the national stage.
“There’s always a focus on keeping doors open. Some athletes are still discovering where their strengths lie. It’s about giving them opportunities, letting them grow, and understanding that their time will come.”
That philosophy was evident in athletes like Natalie Strydom, who was introduced to the steeplechase only weeks before the championships and still earned a provincial medal, and Zandrèh van der Merwe, whose steady rise reflects years of perseverance after developing in the shadows.
Bekker’s double silver, meanwhile, stood out in one of the most competitive age groups of the championships. Lining up against some of the country’s best young middle-distance runners, he showed both tactical intelligence and composure.
“The biggest thing is not to focus on the names in the race,” said Van Aswegen. “Michael is one of the smartest tactical racers I’ve coached. He understands racing, so for him it’s about internalising the process and trusting his instincts.”
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Focus
Keeping a large and diverse squad grounded, from champions to newcomers, remains a key priority.
“Those on the podium were once where the others are now. It’s about trusting the process, staying consistent, and understanding that progress isn’t always linear. Sometimes you take a step back before moving forward again.”
Among the newcomers, athletes like Taylah Cobett and Gemma Rigele have already made an impression, bursting onto the scene with fearless performances.
“They’ve got the advantage of running blind. They don’t know the big names yet, so they compete freely. The key now is to keep that excitement, keep it fun, and build consistency from here.”
At the heart of it all lies Van Aswegen’s emphasis on tactical awareness, which is a cornerstone of his coaching philosophy.
“You can’t just tell an athlete to go run. Tactics are like a muscle – they need to be trained. Championships aren’t always about times; they’re about execution. Each athlete has a plan based on their strengths, and the goal is to leave knowing you gave your absolute best.”
