Kempton Park learner excels in mountain biking competitions

Hoërskool Kempton Park learner Anika Smit (17) has already established herself as one of the school’s promising mountain biking athletes.

Having taken up cycling just over three years ago, Smit has built a reputation for her confidence, passion and unwavering commitment to the sport.

“Cycling has taught me discipline, perseverance, confidence and resilience. It has encouraged me to push beyond my limits, take care of my health and try new things. Sometimes all it takes is trying something new to discover a passion that completely changes your life.

ALSO READ: SPARK Kempton Park hosts annual sports day at Barnard Stadium

“For me, cycling is that passion, and it inspires me every day to become the best version of myself.”
Although she also enjoys adventure racing, mountain biking has become her greatest passion.

“I love mountain biking because it is a sport where you constantly improve yourself,” said Smit.

“It challenges you physically and mentally, and it gives you the freedom to ride in nature and experience wildlife. Every ride is different, and that is what makes cycling so exciting.”

Smit said she was initially drawn to cycling because it allowed her to focus on personal growth rather than the opinions of others.

“I wanted a sport where I could focus on improving myself without worrying about what other people think. In cycling, you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. Your hard work and dedication speak for themselves.”

One of her favourite aspects of the sport is spending time on mountain trails.

“Riding through the mountains gives me an incredible feeling of freedom. Being surrounded by nature reminds me why I love cycling so much.”

Behind every successful athlete is a strong support system, and Smit credits her family, friends and coach, Riaan Steyn, for helping her reach her goals.

“My biggest motivators are my family, my friends and my coach, Riaan Steyn. They encourage me to train at my full potential and remind me that every training session makes me stronger.

ALSO READ: Motus backs Aston Manor Primary sport with new sponsorship

“When I first started cycling, Amore Ludik, who was our team captain, always motivated me and gave me valuable advice. She played an important role in helping me grow as a cyclist,” said Smit.

Smit trains almost every day, spending between 10 and 14 hours a week on interval sessions, hill repeats, short sprints and endurance rides to build strength and fitness.

A typical weekday begins with a full day at school before she heads to the Riverfields MTB Track for training. After arriving home at about 16:30, she completes her homework, attends a spinning session from 18:00 to 19:00, finishes the remainder of her schoolwork and is usually in bed by 21:00.

Like every cyclist, Smit has faced challenges along the way. Technical obstacles, particularly drops, were initially intimidating, but with the encouragement of her coach and teammates she learned to overcome her fears.

“Every time I conquer a difficult obstacle, I become more confident and improve as a rider.”
Her dedication has already produced impressive results.

Among her proudest achievements are qualifying twice for the South African MTB School Series Nationals, competing at provincial and national level, finishing in the top 10 overall women’s category in the Trailseeker Half Marathon, winning the Stofpad race three times and completing the 94.7 Cycle Challenge on her mountain bike in under five hours.

Looking ahead, Smit hopes to finish on the podium at every School Series race, achieve podium finishes at Trailseeker events and continue reaching her full potential as an athlete. She also dreams of competing internationally.

ALSO READ: Saints Sports Festival ends on a high note

“One of my biggest dreams is to move to the Netherlands, build a life there and compete in cycling events across Europe.”

Her advice to aspiring cyclists is simple.

“Keep training, keep believing in yourself, and never give up, even when you feel like you are failing. Every challenge is an opportunity to become stronger. At the same time, remember that rest is just as important as hard work because your body needs time to recover.”