POLOKWANE – The 16-year-old Hoërskool Noorderland athlete and netball player says she first became interested in athletics after she watched the Olympics on TV as a child, adding once she started doing athletics herself, she couldn’t stop.

As she is still a high school learner, she dedicates Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to her academics with the rest of her week spent on sports.

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She also attends extra classes on Saturdays and uses this day to catch up with her friends. “Sometimes I have to compete in sport on a Saturday when I have extra lessons which means I have to choose between the two. Athletics always gets the upper hand because I can always catch up with my schoolwork,” she explained.

Thinking back on what she has achieved thus far, she said her most memorable moment was when she was selected to represent the province at the provincials in 2012. She has since then been a regular fixture in provincial athletics competitions.

She thanked her mom, dad and uncle for their constant support and motivation. “They are my biggest fans and are always with me every time I compete. They  tell me to do my best and do what I love as I follow my heart.”

Their support seems to bear fruit as Karabo has been awarded as the sport girl of the year since she first tried her hand at athletics, with the number of trophies she has won bearing testament to this.

With additional aspirations of being a doctor, she still plans to pursue her dream of one day making her way to the Olympics.

Her advice to young people is for them to simply chase their dreams, to never underestimate themselves or easily be intimidated.

The best way to live a happy life, she added, is to simply follow one’s heart.

reporter04@nmgroup.co.za