'I see myself representing SA at the Olympics' - Nkosi after winning first national title

When Hlengiwe Gift Nkosi won the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Cross Country Junior Women's 6km title two weeks ago at the Izak Steyl Stadium, she took a step closer to earning her maiden national colours. After a provincial league season where she never really kicked into top gear, hovering around the sub-25 minute mark and winning the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) championships in a pedestrian 25:14, she put her foot on the gas at the nationals.

The 18-year-old East Athletic Club athlete completed the three-lap course in a quick-fire PB 20:56, chalking off a massive 3:20 off her previous best of 24:16, and held off a spirited challenge from national U20 Women's 3 000m champ Wiepke Schoeman of Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) in the home straight, to win her very first SA title.

Nkosi in action at the ASA Cross Country Championships which were hosted by Athletics Vaal Triangle on 7 September, 2024. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

"From when I started running in 2018, I never thought I would one day win a national title. This showed I’ve improved a lot," she told #TheTopRunner. "It also shocked me because I never really thought I would clock such a fast time because at training I managed sub-24's and at the provincials, I finished in 25:14. So I went into the nationals a bit demotivated but now I’m happy because it gives me hope I might go to the worlds."

In winning, Nkosi not only showed off her impressive range as a runner but also highlighted the importance of being able to adapt to demanding running propositions. In March, the youngster from the Benoni township of Daveyton took the U20 Women's 5000m bronze medal in a personal best 18:32.50 and then followed that up with a 10:39.83 clocking in the 3000m to become the fifth fastest 3 000m runner in her division - milestones that she achieved in consecutive days at the ASA U16, U18, U20 & U23 Track and Field Championships. She also made her 10km road running debut at the Daveyton Street Mile last month, winning the women’s race in 38:20 while barefoot.

Nkosi holds off Schoeman's challenge in the home straight. Photo Credit: Cecilia van Bers.

Perhaps it’s not what she does that keeps her motivated but who she looks up to. After all, if you are inspired by one of the country’s top female runners, it's easy to supercharge yourself to victory. "The way Glenrose performs and pushes boundaries inspires me a lot. I've taken a

lot from her."

While chuffed after her first national title, Nkosi who is coached by Victor Lerapyane, admits she still needs lots of training but feels that the national door is slowly opening up for her. "I see myself going very far in the sport. I have seen many people who are successful in life today because of athletics. I see myself as a strong athlete representing South Africa in the Olympics and the Marathon Majors. I saw a team photo of the SA U20 track and field team that competed in the recent U20 worlds. Since that day, I've envisioned myself in that green and gold tracksuit. I will work hard to achieve that goal."