"It's good to have such competition" says sprinting sensation Faith Konde after her win at Curro Podium South

Sprinter Faith Konde believes the strong competition with other top junior athletes like her 200m rival Ashley Cornelius, motivates her to perform to the best of her abilities. The 15-year-old, who beat Cornelius to the SA Schools U15 200m title in April after cutting the tape in 25.02 with her rival clinching the silver in 25.19, highlighted the importance this rivalry, saying it brings the best out of her. "It's very good. The intensity of the race is always up there and it's good to have such healthy competition. Being friends with her is great," she said.

The national U16 100m and 200m champion was speaking during the Curro Podium South Athletics meet at the Dal Jasaphat Stadium on 19 October where she once again clinched the sprint double in the girls U15 category. Konde won the 100m dash in 12.75 and showed her class when she lined-up alongside Cornelius in the 200m. The Paarl Girls High School learner roared to victory in 24.86, with her Paarl Gimnasium counterpart and provincial teammate finishing third in 25.84, behind runner-up Enya Binneman (25.06).

Konde in action at the ASA U16, U18, U20 & U23 Track & Field Championships where she took the Girls U16 sprint double. Photo Credit: Cecilia van Bers.

Reflecting on her performance, Konde, who is coached by Jacques Bothma, explained that the plan was to go hard in the first 150m and maintain her pace at the back end of the race. "The 200m is not really my strong point but I’m always up for some competition. Today we just said I should execute and go all out at 150m and don’t let them through in the last 50m by keeping my form and just staying calm during the race,” she explained.

She added that she went into the race aiming to finish under 25 seconds and despite her nerves, she was happy for achieving her goal. "My mindset going into the race was to relax, have fun and go for 24 seconds. I achieved that by running a 24.86. I’m proud of myself. I was a bit stressed but at the end I felt good," she told #TheTopRunner.

Konde poses with coach Jacques Bothma at an athletics meet. Photo Credit: Supplied.

The Boland Athletics top runner emphasised the importance of the Curro Athletics meetings, saying they are valuable to the development of the sport in the country because they offer sprinters like herself an opportunity to compete against other top athletes from her region and across the country.

"I'm really glad there's a competition like this because now I can see the level I'm on

with all the athletes that are in my age group. I’m happy we have such a competition." On her plans for the future and who she looks up to, she said, “We are looking at the African Games and the Olympics as well, but that would be according to God’s plans. My hero is God because He gives all the strength. I'm grateful to Him."