Eben Beukes from TuksAthletics is certainly no one-hit wonder. That became abundantly clear last week, when he won the pole vault competition clearing the bar at 5.50m during a league meeting at Pilditch stadium.
It was the second time in three weeks, Beukes had jumped 5.50m. Three weeks ago, also at a league meeting at Pilditch, he jumped 5.60m.
A quick glance at the South African pole vault statistics for the past 10 years, puts Beukes’ performances into perspective. Since 2006 only three local vaulters have jumped higher than 5.50m.
In 2006 Ockert Brits cleared 5.82m. Four years later Cheyne Rahme jumped 5.50m and now, another five years later, Beukes jumped 5.60m, which he followed up with the 5.50ms. During the past 10 years, he is the only vaulter to clear 5.50m and higher twice in one same year.
It is clear there is ample reason to be excited about Beukes’ performances. At long last, it seems a revival of South African pole vaulting is on the cards. This is especially true considering that Michael Cilliers cleared 5.40m last weekend. It has been quite a few years since two local athletes cleared 5.40m at the same meeting.
Beukes opened his campaign at the weekend, by clearing 5.20m. This was followed by a jump of 5.40m before he cleared 5.50m. Afterwards Beukes said he was quite happy with his performance.
“It was important to me to jump 5.50m again to prove to myself that my 5.60m attempt was no fluke. Clearing 5.50m was just the confidence booster I needed. I now know that I am capable of consistently clearing good heights, providing that I keep my wits about me throughout the competition.”
The Tuks athlete admitted that the Olympic Games in Rio were at the back of his mind.
“I know I am capable of jumping 5.70m, which is the qualifying standard, but it would be foolish to become obsessed with it. For me it is a case of if it happens it happens,” he said.
His coach, Jakes van Vuuren said the most important challenge now was to ensure Beukes performed consistently every time he competed.
“At the moment it is a numbers game for me. This weekend, he started at 5.20m. Next weekend, at the Gauteng North Championships, his starting height will be 5.25m. Depending on how it plays out, he could start at 5.30m the next time he competes. We are in no rush at the moment to get to the really big heights. We will take it step by step. I would be satisfied if Eben could jump higher than 5.50m three or four times before the end of the season. If he should be able to do that, there is a good chance a really big jump could sneak in. And, who knows, when that happens it might just be good enough to get him to the Olympic Games,” said Van Vuuren.
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