The Puma School of Speed finale bids well for Rob Ferreira High School and Curro Nelspruit athletes
Both Rob Ferreira High School and Curro Nelspruit made their presence known at the Puma School of Speed season finale that shook up Pretoria this past weekend.
The Bestmed Tuks Athletics Stadium was buzzing with excitement with track and field stars in action.
Headed by Usain Bolt, the Puma School of Speed is a national series of five track-and-field meets that was launched in 2016 with the goal of identifying exceptional young South African athletes.
Catering for track and field stars between the ages of 14 and 19, the series featured the following events: 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres, 1 500 metres, long jump, high jump, 100-metre hurdles (boys u/15, girls u/17 and u/19 only), 90-metre hurdles (girls u/15 only) and 110-metre hurdles (boys u/17 and u/19 only).
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Of the 16 athletes that represented Rob Ferreira, Junior Mondlane’s 110-metre hurdle event proved to be most memorable. Even though he left a huge gap between him and his competitors with his time of 14,15, it was not enough to beat the fastest time of 14,00, run by Jorim Bangue. He also got pipped to the post by Evince Dlamini’s time of 14,14.
His time of 11,03 in the 100-metres boys u/17, put him in sixth place, with the winning time being Kieren Louw’s at 10,77.
Curro Nelspruit also proved that they have what it takes. Naki Fakude was the only local who won two golds and a silver. He achieved his first medal in the 200-metre boys u/15 event, with a time of 22,50 with his closest competitor being Jet Tshiyombo in 22,58.
His second gold medal was won at the 100-metre hurdles, which he ran in 13,30, and he won silver when he jumped a distance of six metres in long jump.
Precious Molepo from Prestige College claimed victory in the girls’ u/15 400 metres, in a deserving time of 0:53,93. Jenna Booysen came in second, while Julia van Aardt of Curro finished third to claim bronze. Jayden Andre of Curro claimed one bronze and one silver in high jump and long jump in her age group (girls u/15), with a height of 1,40 metres and distance of 4,73 metres respectively.
“The Puma School of Speed #5 was the source of nail-biting track and field action,” said Puma marketing director, Brett Bellinger.
“They came prepared, focused and ready to go fast. The results were impressive. We are proud to close off the 2020 season on such a high note and are excited to identify the five #FutureStars that will join the Puma Squad for the duration of 2021. These names will be released shortly.”
In addition to representing the brand, the five Puma #FutureStars will have access to Puma’s elite running ambassadors, who will be on hand to offer guidance on and off the track.
School of Speed vice principal, Gena Löfstrand, said the series has been extremely important for South African athletics.
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“The series brings together athletics fans and future champions from all over our country,” said Löfstrand. ”
It gives athletes the opportunity to showcase their talent at a well-supported, world-class event. It is something for young athletes to set goals for and work hard towards. The atmosphere at the Puma School of Speed is what makes it so special. It is fun, exciting, and inspiring. It is events like this that keep athletics alive! I am proud to be working alongside Puma to help grow athletics in South Africa.”
Photos: Kyle Cestari
