Young Kempton Park athlete soars to national high jump title

At just 10 years old, Kayla van der Walt has already made a remarkable mark in athletics, breaking both Greater Kempton Park and Gauteng records before being crowned the U10 high jump South African champion.

Her journey to this achievement began in October 2025, when she secured her first major placing at the Super 12 competition.

Van der Walt went on to compete at the Greater Kempton Park event on February 18 and the Gauteng championships on March 14, where she broke records at both levels.

On March 20, she competed at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Nationals 2026, where she was crowned champion.

“I was very excited when I broke the Greater Kempton Park record and couldn’t stop smiling. It was a really special moment for me, even though I didn’t fully realise how big the achievement was at the time. It definitely made me more determined to keep improving and aiming higher,” said van der Walt.

The Laerskool Van Riebeeck Park Grade 4 learner began competing only in September 2025, after becoming eligible for the U10 age group at the primary school level.

From the outset, she showed natural ability, appearing as though she had been competing in high jump for years.

A key moment came in October at the Super 12 event in Menlo, where she competed against 28 athletes from 12 schools and finished second. It was then that her parents realised her potential.

Her athletics journey began through general participation in school events, where she initially tried a variety of disciplines. Once eligible for the U10 age group, she was introduced to high jump, where her talent quickly became evident.

What started as simple participation soon became a passion, particularly after her early successes. Her confidence grew, and she began taking the sport more seriously, setting her on a path to higher-level competition.

In preparation for her competitions, van der Walt trained under the guidance of both her school and private coaches. Recognising her potential early on, they worked closely together to develop her technique, consistency and confidence.

With structured training and strong support, she progressed rapidly and reached a competitive level within a short period.

“It was an incredibly emotional moment for us as parents. There were definitely a few happy tears. It was something we never imagined would happen so soon,” said her father, Eugene van der Walt.

“Seeing her go from just starting out to breaking a Gauteng record in such a short space of time made us extremely proud. It was a very special moment for our family and one we will never forget.

“One thing I’ve noticed about her is that she has a very calm and collected mindset, and I truly believe that helps her achieve what she does. She approaches her competitions with a positive attitude, always happy, excited and eager to take part.”

Heading into the South African Primary Schools Championships, Kayla remained both confident and humble, focusing on enjoying the experience and doing her best.

She understood the level of competition would be high but approached it with composure, taking each jump as it came and focusing on the opportunity rather than the pressure.

“I believe her success at Green Point came down to the incredible support she had around her,” her father added.

“As parents, we were there to support her fully, and having both her coaches present was invaluable. They worked closely with her throughout the competition, guiding her through each jump. That level of support and teamwork gave her the confidence to perform at her best.

“Her coaches, teachers and school have played a huge role in her development. From the beginning, they recognised her potential and created an environment where she could grow and enjoy the sport. That combination of support, belief and opportunity has been instrumental in helping her reach this level.”

Her parents ensure academics remain a priority while maintaining a healthy balance between school and sport. At her age, they emphasise the importance of still enjoying childhood without unnecessary pressure.

With good time management and support from her school, Kayla is able to keep up with her studies while pursuing her passion for athletics.

One of the challenges she has faced is her rapid progression in a short period, moving quickly from a beginner level to national competition. She is also often one of the shorter athletes in her age group, which can be a disadvantage in high jump.

However, she has overcome these challenges through determination, strong technique and the guidance of her coaches.

“Most importantly, we believe that God has given her the strength and ability to perform at this level, and we are incredibly grateful,” said her father.

“She has remained grounded, trusts her coaches and maintains a positive attitude. Her ability to stay calm, enjoy the process and learn from each competition has helped her grow both as an athlete and as a young individual.

“Our focus going forward is to continue developing her abilities while ensuring she enjoys every moment of the journey and takes things one step at a time.

“We are now looking ahead to the club athletics season, which starts in September. We are excited about what lies ahead and believe this is only the beginning.”