South Africa the next Sprint Factory

whenever we hear about the sprint factory, Jamaica usually comes to mind and rightly so, given the number of elite sprinters that have emerged from the country since the likes of George Rhoden in 1948. South Africa,  despite not being as successful as the caribbean nation also has a rich history as well as a bright future in sprinting.

The first many would have really noted south Africa on the sprint circuit may have been through wayde van niekerk in his telling 2015 season. However, south Africa was there way before then. In fact,  wayde is not the first south African to win a 400m olympic gold medal, that accolade actually belongs to Bevil Rudd who upset the world at the 1920 olympic games.

South Africa's first olympic Gold in the sprints came in the fourth (4th) edition of the games when Reggie Walker won the 100 meters defeating pre event favorite Robert Kerr of canada. The first female medal winner from south Africa came in 1952 , when Daphne Hasenjager won silver behind Marjorie Jackson who ran atopld record to win gold, this just six editions after females were allowed to compete at the games.

The sprint culture continued to grow in popularity with south African Natives, however due to racial segregation for most parts of the country's history,  participation were not as much as they could be. However as time went on everyone was eligible to compete for the country.

Since the inception of the World youth and world Junior championships South Africa has maintained a strong presence rivalling the likes of the United states, Jamaica, and Great Britain mostly in the 200 meter event. South Africa has had and still has some of the most promising junior Sprinters in the world. The likes of Tloliso Leotlela who is the third fastest junior over the 100 meters with a time of 10.20 seconds, Heide Seyerling former female world junior champion in the 200 meters, clarence Munyai who currently holds the national record in the 200 meters and the Junior's world best in the 300m in a time of 31.61. they also have the reigning world youth champion in the boys 100 and 200m with Tshenolo Lemao and Retshiditswe Mlenga respectively.  The list could go on and on.

Sure, the country might not hold a glamarous postion in the world in of sprinting as the USA or Jamaica but with the likes of Akani SImbine, Wayde Van Niekerk, and Caster Semenya as the country's most valued athletes, it's almost certain that with the talent of the younger generation that they will be ready to step up as soon as these athletes step away from the sport.

This can also be credited massively to the availability of some of the world's best coaches most notably Hennie Kriel and Ans Botha who continues to foster the best of the nation. some of the more prominent juniors usually works with top overseas coaches as well, mostly in the united states.

The system of junior competitions is quite different from jamaica, because meanwhile Jamaica opens up the championships to all competitors who make the set standard to compete for their institution, south Africa has a slighlty more complicated system. They usually has a provincial championships before they get to the main championships. It is usually through these Provincial championships that these athletes qualify to the national championships. This system has a regulatory effect which has helped larger nations like great Britain and the united states,  and so far it is working well for the South Africans.

So with the 2020 season on the way be sure to look out for new and exciting prospects from the country, and not only 2020, but anytime in the future, because from what we have seen in the past and the ongoing systematic improvements South Africa could one day be on top of the sprinting world.

Remember this is an interactive blog so please comment below let me know what you think.