A Rio big leap
AUCKLAND PARK – Lynique Prinsloo aims to make the final at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
“My lifetime goal and dream came true. I had to sacrifice so much to be selected for this team, but it made giving up all those things worth it.”
So said long jumper, Lynique Prinsloo (25), after she was selected to take part in the Rio 2016 Olympics for Team SA. Prinsloo stays at the University of Johannesburg Afslaan residence in Auckland Park, and is studying education at the university.
Her road to Rio has not been an easy one. Prinsloo has suffered chronic back pain for three years, making her training, performance and ultimately, her selection for the SA team, very difficult. “It took me seven years to be where I am today. It doesn’t just happen overnight,” she said. “One must never be discouraged. Every setback requires a comeback and one must make sure it’s a good one.”
The top South African long jumper has competed for the national team at the world and continental level since 2008. But she says Rio will be the highlight of her career, and she hopes to make the final in long-jump.
Prinsloo believed she had a good chance of achieving the Olympic benchmark of 6.7m after teaming up with UJ coach, Emmarie Fouché this year. This was proved true when she leapt to a season’s best of 6.78m on her last attempt at the SA Student Championships in May.
Prinsloo, who has a personal best of 6.81m, admitted that it was hard to juggle athletics and her studies, but her university supported both her sporting and academic dreams.
“Being in contact with your lecturers does help a great deal, especially when I am overseas,” said Prinsloo, who is majoring in physical education and psychology.
Furthermore, Prinsloo’s faith has helped her meet challenges head-on. “God gave me this wonderful ability to jump and when I do, I feel his presence,” she concluded.
Related article: Soaring to new heights
