The South African heptathlon champion, Shannon Verster, will hope to make it two out of two this week when she competes at the African Games in Ghana.

The first time she competed internationally was in 2022. The Tuks athlete won silver during the African Championships in Mauritius and set a personal best score of 5329.

But things went horribly wrong a week afterwards when Verster played a friendly netball game and tore her ankle ligaments.

“My coaches were genuinely upset. I was scolded, saying I was as irresponsible as Wayde van Niekerk was when he played rugby and got injured. To be honest, I was down and out during my recovery. It was like a continuous mental battle whether I should continue trying to make a comeback or give up. Luckily, something ‘switched in my brain’ and told me to keep going,” she said about her struggle of the past 18 months.

Her tenacity paid dividends and she retained the South African heptathlon title last year. During the USSA Champs, she had the unique distinction of winning all seven events. This season, she has her sights set on scoring 6,000 points. If she does, it will be a fantastic feat.

In the history of South African athletics, Janice Josephs is the only female athlete to go past 6000 points. She did so during the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Josephs scored 6181 points. Three months later, in France, Josephs scored 6248. Unfortunately, it is not officially recognised due to a lack of proper wind metre readings. Maralize Visser unofficially scored 6019 in 2000 in France.

Verster started her athletics career as a hurdler and high jumper but then quit because she got bored.

“It got too repetitive to train for one event. A friend convinced me to take up running to stay fit. I quite enjoyed it. It has led to me making a comeback as an athlete. The first time I competed in a heptathlon was in 2018. I love the challenge that comes with heptathlon racing. Set yourself a goal and then push yourself until you have achieved it. It is exciting to see what your body is capable of,”  she explained.

Heptathlon is considered one of the most brutal events in women’s athletics – two days, seven events.

“My coach, Charmaine du Toit, often jokes saying the best moment for her is the 800 metres. According to her, I run like someone searching for my contact lenses. It can’t be helped. By the time of the 800 metres, I am genuinely knackered. I am in pain. My calves are seizing up, and the hamstrings are done. When I cross the finish line, I often collapse. It takes quite a few minutes before I get the strength to get up again,” she concluded.

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