South Africa’s national hurdles record-holder Marioné Fourie arrived at the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo with high hopes, but her campaign ended in disappointment when she was disqualified in the semifinal of the 100 m hurdles.
The 23-year-old, who was raised and attended school in the Vaal Triangle, has emerged as one of the most exciting hurdlers on the international circuit over the past two seasons.
She set a national record of 12.49 seconds in Hengelo in July 2024 and earlier this year added the indoor mark with a time of 7.91 seconds over 60m hurdles in Luxembourg. Her 2025 outdoor campaign began spectacularly with a world-leading 12.69 at the ASA Grand Prix, followed by a 12.62 for third at the Xiamen Diamond League.
Back in Hengelo she produced a 12.60, but that race ended in disaster when a fall left her with a fractured shoulder, surgery, and weeks of rehabilitation.
Refusing to let the setback define her season, Fourie battled back to fitness in time for Tokyo. She looked sharp in her opening heat on September 14, clocking 12.86 to secure second place and a spot in the semifinals. But the following day her hopes were dashed when she was disqualified for striking a hurdle, a cruel blow for an athlete who had fought so hard to make it to the championships.
Even so, Fourie’s story this year is about far more than a disqualification. In a season that tested her resilience, she proved she can stand among the best in the world and recover from adversity.
Her appearance at the Silesia Diamond League in August signaled her determination to remain at the top, and with her speed, skill, and tenacity, South African athletics can expect more records and global finals from her in the years ahead.
