Vlammie athlete on his way to Africa

This long jumper not only won a gold medal (boys/17) at the recent national athletics championships held in Stellenbosch during the school holiday, but was also informed by his coach last week that his winning distance of 7,33m have earned him a place in the South African team to represent the country at the Africa Championships in Botswana at the end of May.
The distance was his personal best, said Banda, who started doing long jump in grade seven. He also participates in sprints and hurdles but in these events he “is not that good”.

“It wasn’t easy. I had to practice very hard.” In the preseason, during the December school holidays, he trained with coach, Johan Kruger of Lowveld High School every day.

Since the athletics season kicked off in all seriousness at the start of the school year, the training has been
two-and-a-half hours four times a week.

“I follow a special diet. It is not eating junk. Also no cold drinks. My coach suggested it, but my mom makes sure I do it. But I cheat sometimes,” Maudas laughed. The growing boy says he also sleeps a lot, and aside from going out with his friends, plays rugby and soccer.
“Of the two, I prefer soccer. But if I ever become a professional athlete, it would be for long jump.”