Nemato athlete aiming to conquer the world
Talented U16 cross-country runner takes part in trials
Sixteen-year-old Nemato athlete Thandolwethu Matsalo is making a name for himself in cross-country. Matsalo, who is a member of Port Alfred’s Kowie Striders Running Club, recently returned from the World Championship Cross-Country trials in Johannesburg, finishing a credible 20th in a time of 27:42 over a distance of 8km, in a field of more than 30 elite junior runners in the country.
He is not sure as yet whether he has made the cut for the World Champs in March in Australia, but says he will keep chomping at the bit to make the nod for the 2025 edition.
At the EP Championships in August, Matsalo won gold in the Under 16 age group, coming in a minute faster than his closest rival.
Matsalo, who is only in his second year of cross-country, said he was happy with his time because some of the athletes he ran against at the Johannesburg trials were in a higher age group.
“Some of the guys I ran against were in the U20 age group, so I was happy with coming in 20th.
“I was probably in the top 10 in my own age group [U16],” he said.
“The race itself was fast and the competition is very tough.
“The weather was too hot on the day but we have to train for those conditions. “I started out slow and didn’t panic. “I didn’t go there with any intention of winning … the goal was to gain experience to test the conditions and to know what to expect next time.”
Coach and mentor, Sticks Stiglingh, is excited about his runner’s future prospects.
“I am confident that Thandolwethu will run for South Africa one day as he has the three attributes that a world-class runner should have … good running genes, he trains hard and possesses a positive attitude and fighting spirit,” said Stiglingh.
“I could see from the first time I worked with him as a development runner that he is a great talent with great potential.”
Matsalo said he would not be giving up on his ambition of making the cut for the World Championships next time around.
“I certainly know what to expect next time and I will be better prepared.
“My first aim will be to beat 27:30 over the distance, so I can qualify for the EP championships.
“When I am running on the road, I run a time of 26 minutes for the 8km, so the EP qualifying time is achieveable.”
Matsalo said his mentor, Stiglingh, had advised a two-week break from running before he gets back into the swing of things.
“I am grateful for his guidance and mentorship.”
“I have done quite a bit of competitive running and I have been told that if I don’t take a break I risk injuring myself. And when I am in good shape, I know that I can achieve my goals, the young athlete said.
Matsalo said he first took an interest in running at primary school but it”never took off from there.
The running bug bit at the beginning of last year, however, while at Nomzamo High.
“I was more interested in football too from a young age but I have realised that my talent and love for running does it for me.”
Matsalo has ambitions of joining the professional ranks as a full-time marathoner after he has finished school.
“I want to run for South Africa one day.
“My goal is the Olympics and I would like to concentrate on track & field and road running and also crosscountry when I can,” said the talented runner.
The fact that Matsalo runs and trains up to 65km a week shows he is disciplined and committed to his sport.
“When I am on school holiday I probably can run up to 100km a week.
“I love running I have realised my future is running. It keeps me away from all the social evils that are affecting many youth negatively out there.”
I am confident that Thandolwethu will run for South Africa one day as he has the three attributes that a world-class runner should have …good running genes, he trains hard and possesses a positive attitude and fighting spirit