Davida Strong: A name to remember in SA Schools Athletics
Davida’s journey began when she was seven years old and her mother saw her potential.
On the grounds of the Dal Josafat Athletics Stadium in Paarl, 15-year-old Davida Strong from Trinity House Randpark Ridge claimed the prestigious title of U17 Girls’ 400m SA Schools Champion.
Reflecting on her triumph, Davida expressed a mixture of relief and gratitude. “I was relieved that nothing bad happened during the race,” she said, acknowledging the challenges of sprinting a 400m distance, especially amidst strong winds. “I felt very grateful to God who blessed me with this ability to run and the strength to always keep pushing.”
Her journey in athletics began at the age of seven, when her mother, Virginia Strong, recognised her potential but also her need for improvement in running technique. “My mom told me that I run like an elephant, that people could hear me behind them from a mile away as I was running very flat-footed. She was worried that I would pick up injuries while running in any other sport I do.”
With her mother’s support, she began working with a coach whose guidance and tailored exercises played a pivotal role in her development as an athlete.
Her training routine, which included speed and endurance sessions, was complemented with training that ensured her body stayed aligned and injuries were prevented during intense periods of competition.
Looking ahead, Davida has her sights set on becoming an Olympic athlete. ” My goal is to be able to run against ladies from around the world. At this stage, I can just see how my times compare to others on the World Athletics rankings, which is unbelievable, but I think it will be so great to run the lap with them and push myself to the fullest of what God blessed me with.”
When asked about role models, Davida spoke on personal growth and self-improvement. “I read somewhere that your role model is you in 10 years, that other people would look up to, including yourself. This agrees with how I see myself in that as you grow and mature, there is always room for improvement and ways that you can push yourself.”
Davida’s mother, Virginia, expressed immense pride in her daughter’s achievements. “Naturally, I feel very proud of Davida and so very grateful for her achievements, but it is more the work ethic and determination that I admire as I have watched her grow and develop into the young God-fearing woman that she is today.”
As Davida continues her athletic journey, she offers words of encouragement to fellow athletes, urging them to persevere through challenges and stay focused on their goals. “Keep pushing through because that is what makes the difference in your running and makes you stronger physically and mentally,” she advised. “All the glory goes to God who blessed me with the ability to run.”
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