Star sets track and field alight
We see athletes come and go all the time in sport, but it is very special when we see a young up and coming athlete with mouth-watering ambition.
Ashaan Sebastian Greaver (12) of Laerskool Laeveld is one such athlete. He raced his way into the history books with record-setting achievements this past weekend at the South African championships in Germiston. Ashaan set up a new record in the 150 metre hurdles of 20,69 seconds, he won another gold in the 150 metres (18,60 seconds), got a third place in the 100 metres (12,35 seconds) and was part of the boys u/12 relay team that finished second. To top all of this he received the trophy for best track athlete on the day. “I don’t know why and how, but all of a sudden I came first in all my items,” Ashaan said.
He snatched up most of the awards at this year’s interschool on Friday March 20 – the victor ludorum, best hurdles, track and overall athlete. “I have done running for fun but now it is more serious. This is my first year to get provincial colours at the recent Mpumalanga champs in Ermelo. I set up a new record in the 150 metres hurdles with my time of 21,30 seconds and I ran the current record in the 100 metres.”
When asked how many records he had set up this year, he sat back and smiled. “Oh no! I really don’t know. I just close my eyes before the gun goes off and pray thanking the Lord for my wonderful talent.”
Since grade one he had a passion for running. “I always was third with two fellow classmates beating me. We have been running together since then. In grade four I started competing in hurdles and I was first against my two mates.”
In October 2014 during his school’s interhouse athletics qualifying rounds, Ashaan was the fastest athlete on the track.
His dad, Ashley was a great athlete. He went to the South African champs three times for high jump, long jump, 200- and 100 metres. “I have a record that still stands after 18 years in Ermelo. We are very surprised by Ashaan’s great performances so far and it happened much sooner than we had expected. But he worked exceptionally hard this year.”
Ashaan’s long-term goal is to be part of the SA team attending the Commonwealth Games in 2022. He admires athletes such as Usain Bolt, watching videos of the fastest man on the planet on YouTube. “I want to thank my school, my teachers and my coach, Johan Theron for all their support they have given me this season. You guys played a great role this year.”
Ashaan could only participate in three items at the SA champs, but also excels in long jump.
Ashaan’s personal bests
• 150 metres: 18,60 seconds
• 100 metres: 12,04 seconds
• 75 metre hurdles: 11,82
• Long jump: 4,94 metres.
