The three-day competition was held at Happy Valley Conservancy in Bloemfontein.
MTB XCO is an Olympic event whereby participants compete against each other over a number of laps which include technical sections.
The race was a tough hilly course and consisted of five laps with each lap climbing 48 metres.
The thirty best riders from across South Africa lined up at the starting line to win the famous “Red National Jersey”.
The first lap was a battle for position with some inevitable crashes reducing the field.

But Aron pervailed and outshined his 21 competitors in the Nipper boys category in all five laps.
His fastest lap was the first round where he completed the stage in a time of four minutes and 17 seconds.
His other times were 4:25 on the second lap, 4.28 on the third lap, 4.25 on the fourth lap and 4.25 on the fifth lap respectively; making his overall time 22:00 minutes.
As part of the win, he won a jersey with South African colours and a gold medal.

Also read: Speke sing by nuwe Magoebaskloof-roete

His parents, Stefan and Shirlene van den Borre, told the Herald that they are over the moon with their son’s achievement.
“He has been training hard for the championships and it is heart warming to see all the preparations paying off.
“We are proud and happy for our boy and we are grateful to God for this achievement,” they said.
The nine-year-old rider started riding at the age of two at home cycling with his family.
Stefan said that during school holidays the family would visit destinations where they knew they would be able to cycle, so young Aron and his older brother Arno had no choice but to cycle.

“We started noticing that he was gifted when he started winning every time he competed with friends, even winning against adults,” Stefan added.
The young champ is the current Limpopo school’s champion and he will be looking to defend his title soon when the school competitions start.
Aron was speechless when the Herald asked him how he felt about his great achievement. He said, “I thank Jesus for the grace and for giving me strength during the race.”

Aron thanked everyone who supported him and who congratulated him on social media. He thanked Renee Rudolph (Kingfisher Private School headmaster), Madrea Jordaan (HOD at Kingfisher), Shamira Rinderknecht (Hans Merensky Golf Estate), Victoria and Wessel Jacobs, Stanley Thomson, Dawie Grobbelaar from Limpopo Cycling and Limpopo Schools’ Cycling, Dave and Simon Baber of Waterberg Cycling Academy and the Tzaneen Cycling Club for their support and training.