POLOKWANE – 13-year-old, Hoërskool Westenburg Secondary learner, Reneilwe Cheune says she dreams of becoming as great as Limpopo’s gem athlete Caster Semenya.
The young athlete says she has been running since the age of three, even though she had no idea what sort of race she was running and how far it would take her.
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“I have always been good in athletics, especially long distance running and I always obtain first or second place. My coaches throughout the years would always tell me that I am gifted and that I will go far if I keep practicing hard and believing in myself,” she explained.
Having competed with various schools from the district, Reneilwe has proved her running talents by obtaining second position during the 1 500m race at the recent circuit level athletics meet. She says she is aiming for first place at her next meet. “I make sure that I practice everyday by jogging in the evening and sometimes in the morning. I also participate in other sports as an extra mural activity which ensures that I am fit and always ready to compete in any race,” she added.
Even though she did not obtain the position she anticipated during the district level, Reneilwe says that she is not deterred as this means that she needs to work a little harder next year, so that she can be number one.
She has made her school proud and her coach, Ernest Nong says that he has never doubted Reneilwe’s abilities and says she has outdone herself and has placed the school on the map of excellency again. “We will work even harder next year so that we can achieve the best results and hopefully that number one spot, as she dreams of one day becoming as great as Caster Semenya and she will,” said Nong.
