Thomas is excited to take part in compete in the World Student Games in Naples, Italy
AUCKLAND PARK – UJ's dependent sprinter Tamzin Thomas together with 20 other representatives of UJ will be competing at the games in Naples
Sprinter Tamzin Thomas is one of nine members of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) track and field squad who aims to make an impact when the World Student Games take place in Italy next month.
Including the athletics dependent, UJ has an overall group of 20 representatives who will be competing and performing management roles at the games in Naples from 3 to 14 July.
Thomas who has competed in Europe before said that they were all looking forward to measuring themselves against the best student athletes in the world.
Thomas, a second-year sport management student said, “I love being part of the UJ athletics team and we all have so much respect for each other.
“We have been working extremely hard to prepare for the World Games and we have a good management team, including coaches and medical staff, who are there to support us.
“It was difficult to single out anyone as medal contenders but believed there was plenty of potential to do well in the athletics meeting.
“My aims are to make my support team proud and to make sure I give of my best.”
Thomas will be running the 100m to 200m sprint and also the relay events with the aim to improve on her previous appearance in the World Student Games in Taipei in 2017.
“I came in fourth position in the 100m semi-finals and fifth in the 200m semi-finals and I was very close to making the finals,” she said.
“It was really exciting to compete at the World Student Games and I learnt a lot about what I needed to do to improve. This is a great opportunity for an athlete to experience what it is like to win a medal on an international stage. I was feeling relaxed going into the games and did not want to place any unnecessary pressure on myself.
“I will really look at just trying to run my personal bests over the 100m and 200m. Of course I would like to medal in my races as well, but I am just concentrating on doing the best that I can.
“I have competed in Italy before in various competitions so I am reasonably familiar with the conditions. There is no time difference so that’s perfect, and it will be summer as well so I am hoping we get some good weather.
When asked how she felt about representing the country she said, “I am grateful to have an opportunity to make my parents and my country proud. It is always such an honour to represent your country.
The following are the UJ’s representatives in the South African squad:
- Management: Mathatho Manaka, Nqobile Gama
- Soccer: Karabo Megudi (men’s coach), Dineo Magagula, Boitumelo Rasehlo, Thato Letsoso, Karabo Makhurubetshi, Refilwe Maseko, Amanda Mthandi (all women’s team), Jabulile Baloyi (women’s coach)
- Rugby sevens: Voice Ndou (women’s team)
Track and field: Cheswill Johnson, Jason van Rooyen, Kayle Blignaut, Werner Visser, Thamsanqa Khonco, Zinzi Chabangu, Julia du Plessis, Rachel Leistra, Tamzin Thomas.
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