Randpark teen star Zuan Schoeman clears 2.05m at SA Championships
A breakthrough moment for the young high jumper as he sets a new personal best on the national stage.
Randpark Ridge-based athlete Zuan Schoeman (17) achieved an impressive new personal best of 2.05 m in the high jump during the South African Club Athletics Championships recently.
Zuan said that before the jump, he was focused on staying calm and trusting my approach. “I wasn’t overthinking it; I just told myself to hit my marks, stay tall, and commit fully to the take-off. It feels amazing. Setting a personal best is always special, but doing it at a big competition like this makes it even more meaningful. It shows that the work I’ve been putting in is paying off when it matters most.”
He said it was one of those jumps where everything just comes together at the right moment.
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“I’ve been working a lot on my approach, consistency and take-off mechanics. Small technical adjustments, along with strength and speed work, have made a big difference in my confidence during competitions.”
The 2.05m was his target, and the atmosphere really helped him to achieve his goal. “Having that energy from the crowd pushes you to give a little extra. It made the moment more exciting and definitely lifted my performance. That height was definitely a goal I had in mind, but I focused more on executing each jump rather than chasing a specific height.”
The milestone will surely be a confident booster for the young athlete as he pursues his career.
“It’s a confidence boost for the rest of the season. It shows I’m moving in the right direction, and it motivates me to keep pushing toward even bigger heights and higher-level competitions.”
He highlighted Pieter Els for having a huge influence, along with his family, friends and everyone who’s been behind him.
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“It really takes a lot of motivation to achieve these goals,” he said. Now the focus shifts to 2.10m and beyond. “I want to keep building on this and stay consistent at these heights while pushing for new personal bests.”
He advised upcoming young athletes to stay patient and trust the process. “Focus on your technique, be consistent in training, and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. Progress takes time, but if you stay committed, the results will come.”
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