Bruintjies determined to be King Henricho again
THE LAST three years have been anything but kind to Henricho Bruintjies as he went from the king of South African sprinting to one of the top contenders.
Bruintjies was the sole 100-metre record-holder for a brief moment in time in 2015 before Akani Simbine equalled his time just four days later.
The next year Simbine relegated Bruintjies to former record-holder status and since then the latter has been battling for his place in the sun.
But the tide could be turning for Bruintjies after winning his first medal at a major championship, when he finished second behind Simbine in the 100m final at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
The medal served as a reward for his dogged determination and a good measure of self-belief over the last three years.
“I always believe in myself and that is why I call myself the king because I believe I possess the talent and the ability to do great things even though I haven’t achieved all what I want to,” Bruintjies said.
“I want to be the best in the 100 metres and winning the silver medal was just a stepping stone to a space where I know I can be.”
Bruintjies became only the third South African to dip below 10 seconds when he shaved 0.01 seconds off Simon Magakwe’s then national record at a meeting in Switzerland in July 2015.
His time of 9.97 seconds was the first and last time he managed to post a sub-10 second time.
He flirted with the barrier in Turku, Finland last year in July where he stopped the clock in 10.06.
Bruintjies posted the fourth fastest time of his career in Pretoria in March this year with a time of 10.18, suggesting he is returning to his best.
“I started my season off well and now I need to see if I can get my times down a bit,” Bruintjies said.
“I don’t want to be known as an athlete that can only run championships or just post fun times without winning medals. I want to be an all-round athlete and I want to now run some sub-10s after winning the silver in Australia.
“I am definitely capable of doing it and I also need to get the SA record back.”
The South African record is currently held by arch nemesis Simbine with the 9.89 he clocked a month before the 2016 Olympic Games.
Bruintjies admits he needs to consistently post fast times again and dip below 10 seconds to stand a chance of breaking the national mark.
“I just want to get my times down because it has been a while since the last time I ran fast times,” he said.
“But I am getting back there and I am in shape to do that kind of thing so I just need to go out to meetings and see if I can execute.”
Bruintjies will open his international campaign at the Taiwan Athletics Open in Taipei on May 25. MULTIPLE titlewinning coach Gordon Igesund is backing Mamelodi Sundowns boss Pitso “Jingles” Mosimane to match South Africa’s great coaches.
Mosimane recently clinched his third league triumph with Sundowns.
He is one triumph away from matching Igesund, Ted Dumitru and Gavin Hunt, whom all won four league titles.
Igesund emerged victoriously with Manning Rangers, Orlando Pirates, Santos and Sundowns.
The former Bafana Bafana mentor is confident Mosimane is capable of landing his fourth triumph.
“Congratulations to Pitso. A lot of people thinks it is easy to do it at a big club, whereas it is not the case. At a big club you have to manage players’ personalities. The expectations are high. It is difficult to do it continuously. Pitso has done a fantastic job. It is not easy to achieve what he has achieved. The pressure is high and the fans expect to win all the time. You can back him to win this fourth title. It will be a milestone for him, “Gordon said.
Mosimane has transformed Sundowns in to dominant force in South African football.
The outspoken Mosimane has delivered seven major titles during five year tenure at Sundowns. These accolades comprise three league triumphs, the Caf Champions League, Caf Super Cup, Nedbank Cup and the Telkom Knockout.
“Records are there to be broken. I also want to win my fifth title. I’ve taken enough of a break from football. Once you win your first title you become determined to win your second. The experience of winning the title is something else. Once you start you want to keep on going. I’m sure Gavin (at Wits) is also looking for his fifth title,” Igesund elaborated.
Sundowns are the most successful team in the Premier Soccer League era with a the record eight titles.
“It took a big effort for Sundowns to win the league. They had a tight schedule having to compete in the Champions League but they still manage to win the league convincingly. They were never under pressure.
“Pirates were the only side that pushed them. For me it is more easy to win the league at an unfashionable team because you don’t have pressure there. Even if you finish second, people will applaud you and say you did a fantastic job.
“At Sundowns, Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs you are expected to win,” Igesund explained.
Sundowns will play Barcelona in a friendly match next week Wednesday at FNB Stadium.
The game will kickoff at 6pm.
“What worked for me at Sundowns and Pirates was honesty. I was always honest with my selections. I would also get players to open up. Players are not silly, so I didn’t do the incorrect things,” Igesund concluded.
Sundowns lift the trophy today at Dr Molemela Stadium after they have locked horns with Bloemfontein Celtic.