Remember the name Hannah van Niekerk. Having overcome the odds, this Grade 11 learner and talented athlete from Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool, Pretoria, has qualified to compete in the World Athletics under 20 Championships later this year.
With a best time of 1:00:34, she is currently ranked the world’s top under 18 athlete in the 400 m hurdles event. Her time also qualifies her to compete in the South African Senior Championships, but she wants to focus on her immediate goal: to reach the finals of the World under 20 Championships, also known as the World Junior Championships, which takes place from 2-7 August 2022 at the Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali, Colombia.
Her long-term goal is to one day compete in the Olympic Games.
The 17-year old Hannah is thrilled over the prospect of competing internationally after being “hamstrung” during the lockdown months. Her spirit and enthusiasm never waned, even during the strictest lockdown conditions.
“It was quite difficult, with everyone having to remain at home, but I decided to exercise in our garden in my parents’ house in Boksburg in order to maintain my fitness,” said the young athlete.
She smiles as she recalls how her family united in support and also participated in the home-based training routine. “My dad, Izak, immediately joined me. Besides making sure I stuck to a healthy, carefully worked out diet plan, he also encouraged me and reassured me during the tough days. Even my mum, Simone, and brother, Izak, joined me in my training.”
Hannah admits that not being able to train at proper facilities was a challenge. She also missed the sensation of being able to compete in front of cheering crowds, but channelled her self-determination and competitive spirit at home and made sure she never lost the edge that all athletes need to perform at their best.
While she couldn’t rely on traditional facilities and resources, Hannah recorded her times and from the first step made it her personal mission to improve on them.
To prepare for the World Junior Championships, Hannah will travel to Italy during her school holidays, where she will train alongside international athletes for four weeks and compete against senior women in her discipline.
Hannah is extremely passionate and devoted, which is why her family is doing all they can to raise funds to make her dream a reality. They have organised a fundraising initiative to secure enough money for Hannah to pay for flights, accommodation, travel, food and visas.
Hannah is training hard and keeping herself fit in preparation for the possibility of competing abroad. “One of the biggest challenges,” she says, “is to avoid doubting yourself. You know you’ve put in the effort and although there are not always going to be cheering crowds, you know it is really about personal ambition, personal triumph and doing your family, yourself and the country proud.”
To support Hannah’s fundraiser, click here:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/hannah-van-niekerk
Photo credit: PixALL Sport
