Local sprinter targets personal best at UJ Challenge
As a teacher and athlete, Eksteen's passion for running began in high school, where she started athletics in Grade Eight as a long-distance runner and quickly progressed to competing in school competitions.
'I've experimented with various events, but it wasn't until Grade 12 that I found my fit. I tried the 100m and 200m, earning a spot on the school relay team, and also competed in the 400m, making it to the provincials.
'After matric, I joined Brakpan Athletics Club, but recently switched to Boxer Athletics.
'In the CGA competitions, I placed fifth in one of the events hosted at UJ last year. My training is focused on shaving off seconds and achieving a personal best.
ALSO READ: Athlete excels at championships for CGA
'I've known my current coach, Thulani Sibeko, for a while, having trained with him at Boksburg. His encouragement and familiarity made the decision to switch clubs an easy one.
'I'm currently preparing for the UJ Track and Field Summer Challenge.
'As a Grade RR teacher with a passion for child development, I've also pursued a Bachelor's degree in Foundation Phase.
'I enjoy mentoring my students and helping them develop their athletic skills, and I'm committed to making a positive impact on their young lives,' said Eksteen.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- The Citizen
Germiston athlete eyes national success and university scholarship
Lucie Ilunga, a 400m and 800m sprint specialist, has come a long way since her early days as a netball player. Now in Grade 12 at Queens High School, she shares her journey into athletics, guided by coach Elvis Khoza. Ilunga only began to take athletics seriously in Grade 8, despite having a strong netball background. ALSO READ: CGA hosts cross-country in Germiston 'Running wasn't really my thing,' she recalled. 'But I took part in a school athletics event and, to my surprise, finished 29th.' After that race, Khoza approached her with an invitation to train. 'At the time, my heart was still with netball. I had just played my last matches at the district games and had been selected for the provincial team, so I didn't think much of it at first,' she explained. But Khoza's persistence paid off. 'He convinced me to give running a try, and my journey has been fascinating ever since.' A promising athlete with global potential Now affiliated with Thembisa Athletics Club, Ilunga has made remarkable progress. In her first year, she won the 800m at the OR Tambo Socini Games and qualified to compete in Italy. 'Unfortunately, Covid-19 had other plans,' she said, referring to the cancelled trip. ALSO READ: CGA announces team to lead SA at Paris Olympic The following year, in Grade 9, she placed second in the 800m at the same games but was unable to make the national team due to unforeseen circumstances. Balancing athletics with academics and leadership Beyond the track, Ilunga shines academically. She has served on the school's Representative Council of Learners (RCL) for four consecutive years and currently holds the position of Deputy Head Girl. 'I've received academic merits since Grade 11 and was awarded the best leader award,' she said. Despite a demanding school year, Ilunga is working hard to secure a scholarship for university. 'Next year I aim to study something I'm passionate about, like business management.' She continues her training at Germiston Stadium as she prepares for upcoming competitions. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Local sprinter targets personal best at UJ Challenge
Chariaan Eksteen is gearing up for the UJ Track and Field Summer Challenge. As a teacher and athlete, Eksteen's passion for running began in high school, where she started athletics in Grade Eight as a long-distance runner and quickly progressed to competing in school competitions. 'I've experimented with various events, but it wasn't until Grade 12 that I found my fit. I tried the 100m and 200m, earning a spot on the school relay team, and also competed in the 400m, making it to the provincials. 'After matric, I joined Brakpan Athletics Club, but recently switched to Boxer Athletics. 'In the CGA competitions, I placed fifth in one of the events hosted at UJ last year. My training is focused on shaving off seconds and achieving a personal best. ALSO READ: Athlete excels at championships for CGA 'I've known my current coach, Thulani Sibeko, for a while, having trained with him at Boksburg. His encouragement and familiarity made the decision to switch clubs an easy one. 'I'm currently preparing for the UJ Track and Field Summer Challenge. 'As a Grade RR teacher with a passion for child development, I've also pursued a Bachelor's degree in Foundation Phase. 'I enjoy mentoring my students and helping them develop their athletic skills, and I'm committed to making a positive impact on their young lives,' said Eksteen. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Herald
24-06-2025
- The Herald
Eastern Cape USSA derby a high-stakes affair
The Madibaz are preparing for a high-stakes clash against Fort Hare in their opening fixture of the University Sports SA rugby tournament later this month. The Eastern Cape derby, scheduled for the opening day on Monday June 30, in Pretoria is expected to be one of the highlights of the week. The goal will be a spot in the B-section final on the Friday and therefore stealing an early march over the opposition will be hugely advantageous. Second-round matchups on the Wednesday will be determined by the day-one results, adding further significance to this explosive opener. The Gqeberha team's head coach, David Manuel, said their primary objective was to gain promotion to the A section but also emphasised that they wanted to showcase Mandela University's broader rugby vision. 'Our goal is definitely promotion but it is also the perfect platform to show that you can attend a university known for academic excellence and still develop as a rugby player.' The Madibaz are keen to maintain their momentum after a strong Varsity Shield campaign, in which they lost the promotion-relegation match against UJ by a paltry three points. 'We've been drawing attention from some of the country's top rugby schools,' Manuel said. 'Performing well at events like the USSAs is critical to our long-term ambitions.' He noted that many parents were now viewing the university as a serious option for talented young players. 'That shift in perception helps our recruitment efforts.' One of their core values was to leave the jersey and the club in a better place, he explained. 'That's the legacy we're building.' Madibaz defeated UFH 32-16 in their Varsity Shield encounter earlier this year but that result does not necessarily give Manuel a peaceful night's sleep. 'These types of games become mental battles. A win for either side gives a significant boost heading into the next season,' he said. Matches between the two tertiary institutions always turned out to be fiercely contested and therefore they are ticking all the boxes to ensure they are at their very best come game day, the Madibaz mentor said. He said the B section, where teams such as NWU-Pukke added serious quality, would be highly competitive. 'They missed last year's tournament, so they're in the B section this year. If we get the chance to face them, it'll be an excellent test of where we stand.' Manuel said that though the squad would be a mix of youth and experience, he had brought in several experienced players who were ineligible for Shield duties, 'which strengthens our hand'. As with any university, academic responsibilities always influence preparations to a certain extent. 'The players need to earn a certain number of credits to qualify for next year's Shield, so we gave them time to focus on exams,' Manuel said. He said every player had a personalised fitness and gym programme and that the on-field sessions had been ramped up in recent weeks. 'We're confident we'll be ready to perform in Pretoria.' — Full Stop Communications
