Tuks teen sprints to 100m and 200m gold
What is exciting is that the Tuks-athlete is capable of being even faster.
TuksSport High School learner-athlete Benjamin Richardson won the under-20 men’s 100m (10.41s) and 200m races (20.97s) in Paarl last week.
He did so during the South African Track & Field U16 – U20 Championships.
What is exciting is that the Tuks athlete is capable of being even faster.
During the recent Gauteng North Championships, he proved it when he won the 100m in 10.31s and the 200m in 20.65s. Also, winning a bronze medal in the 4x100m relay.
Two weeks ago, he picked up a silver medal in the men’s 200m final with a time of 20.77s at the ASA Senior Track & Field National Championships in Pretoria.
Locally, only Akani Simbine (9.99s) and Gift Leotlela (10.20s) had officially run faster times over 100m (not wind-affected), while in the 200m, Luxolo Adams (20.34s) and Wayde van Niekerk (20.62s) had been quicker.
The 18-year-old sprinter is 1.90m tall and weighs 86kg.
The 200m is Richardson’s favourite event.
“I am not always the fastest out of the starting blocks. Usually, I only start to catch up after 50 metres. That is why I prefer the longer sprint.”
When it comes to role models, Richardson is his own man.
“I do take note of what is happening in international sprinting and athletics, but I don’t try and emulate anyone. In the end, it is about what I can do and how hungry I am to achieve my goals,” he said.
According to Paul Gorries, who coaches Richardson, he is a raw talent.
“He has only recently joined the ‘programme’ so, there is still a lot of work to be done. His start is actually not too bad for someone his size. The problem is that it is not consistent. He gets it right in one out of three races.”
The TuksSport High School athletes won five gold, two silver and six bronze medals at the SA Age Groups Champs.
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