Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Chisom is leaping her way to fame in track and field
HER LOVE for track and field started at a young age – and today she is reaping the rewards.
Chisom Udenze from Kensington will compete in the girls’ under-16 100m and 200m sprint events at the Athletics SA Track and Field Age Category Championships in Potchefstroom later this month.
The Tygerberg Athletics Club athlete is among 60 athletes who will represent Western Province Athletics (WPA) at the national competition.
She was in action at the SA High Schools Championships, also in Potchefstroom, this week.
The Hoërskool Tygerberg pupil said: “I’m very excited and fortunate to be a part of two national competitions. I still can’t believe it’s happening. It really feels like a dream.
“At both national competitions, I’m competing in higher age groups, hoping to do my best. Competing at national level can broaden my abilities and help me to push myself further.”
The 14-year-old took part in the WPA Age Group Championships in Parow last weekend. Chisom ran a personal best of 25.14 seconds to claim the gold medal in the girls’ U16 200m. She also jumped her way to glory in the long jump event with a personal best of 4.96m.
“I’m proud of my achievements and excited about what the future holds. I enjoyed meeting new people and pushing myself to greater heights.
“I look up to my mom because she’s able to take on many tasks at the same time, and she always does her very best, and that pushes me to be the best version of myself,” she added.
Her mother, Deidré Charles, said: “Chisom has grown tremendously as an athlete and always pushes herself to new limits with the help of her coach.
“Words cannot fully describe how very proud we are, as parents.”
Her coach, Jerome Walters, said: “In just over two years, she’s developed from a young novice athlete trying to find her feet to an amazing talent.”