{"id":26151,"date":"2019-02-10T09:33:33","date_gmt":"2019-02-10T07:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/?p=26151"},"modified":"2019-02-10T09:33:33","modified_gmt":"2019-02-10T07:33:33","slug":"durbans-junior-track-field-stars-go-foreverfaster-at-puma-school-of-speed-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/press-release\/durbans-junior-track-field-stars-go-foreverfaster-at-puma-school-of-speed-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Durban\u2019s junior track & field stars go #ForeverFaster at PUMA School of Speed #3"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Kings Park Athletics Stadium was buzzing with excitement on Saturday, 09 February 2019 when 720 junior track & field stars attempted to go #ForeverFaster at the PUMA School of Speed #3<\/strong> following in the footsteps of the World\u2019s Fastest Man Usain Bolt.<\/p>\n

Launched in November 2016 by PUMA and Stillwater Sports, the series is committed to the development of athletics talent in South Africa by discovering the fastest young Speedsters.<\/p>\n

Mark Gaines (Morningside) was the speedster to beat in the Boy\u2019s U19\u00a0100m<\/strong>.\u00a0 Gains crossed the finish line in a deserving time of 10.88 seconds.\u00a0 \u201cThis is one of the best events in KZN.\u00a0 It\u2019s prestigious and gives athletes the opportunity to compete on a high level.\u00a0 It\u2019s a really good thing to do for the youth.\u00a0 This year I entered to focus on my training, I didn\u2019t expect to do well.\u00a0 My focus is on my technique and on how to improve.\u00a0 Coming first in the final is a bonus.\u00a0 It\u2019ll motivate me for the rest of the season.\u00a0 My advice to athletes is to work hard.\u00a0 If you want the achievement you have to work towards it.\u00a0 There is no other way.\u201d\u00a0 Morne Hattingh came in 2nd<\/sup>, while Thomas Xolo finish 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

It was a clean sweep for Jessica Bompass (Pietermaritzburg) in the Girl\u2019s U19\u00a0100m <\/strong>(finishing time of 12.43 seconds) and Girl\u2019s U19\u00a0200m <\/strong>(finishing time 25.18 seconds).<\/p>\n

\u201cI really enjoy the PUMA School of Speed Series,\u201d said Bompass.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a fun way to compete with people around the country.\u00a0 I really enjoy the 100m and 200m. The 200m is my favorite.\u00a0 Coming first in the finals brings a great amount of joy to me as my hard work has paid off.\u00a0 It\u2019s a great honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the Girl\u2019s U19\u00a0100m <\/strong>Snethemba Ngema came in 2nd<\/sup>, while Akhona Mathonsi finished 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

In the Girl\u2019s U19\u00a0200m <\/strong>Snethemba Ngema came in 2nd<\/sup>, while Thembelihle Dubazane finished 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Thomas Xolo (Umlazi, Durban) bolted to the finish in the Boys U19\u00a0200m <\/strong>in an impressive time of 22.38 seconds.\u00a0 \u201cThe PUMA School of Speed is a great place for opportunity to grow, a great place for talent to be recognized and also a great experience for runners.\u00a0 I got a bronze medal in 2016 in the 200m.\u00a0 Ever since that day I promised myself that I would get gold.\u00a0 Every day when I wake up and go for my morning jog I tell my coach that I\u2019m going for that gold.\u00a0 Today I got it.\u201d\u00a0 Morne Hattingh came in 2nd<\/sup>, while JD Prinsloo finished 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

JD Prinsloo took top honors in the Boys U19\u00a0400m <\/strong>in 49.23 seconds.\u00a0 Siphesihle Shongwe came in 2nd<\/sup>, while Lesedi Goge finished 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Kirsten Ahrens crossed the finish line first in the Girls U19\u00a0400m <\/strong>in 56.28 seconds.\u00a0 Nicole Faulha came in 2nd<\/sup>, while Sithembiso Nkwanyana finished 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Message from the Vice Principal<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 <\/strong>Junior track & field stars could meet South African middle-distance runner and 2019 PUMA School of Speed Vice Principal, Gena L\u00f6fstrand in the Vice Principal\u2019s office at the stadium.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe events are well organized, well supported and super exciting to be a part of,\u201d said L\u00f6fstrand.\u00a0 \u201cThe PUMA School of Speed Series is a great platform for up and coming athletes to showcase their talent and all the hard work they\u2019ve put into their sport.\u00a0 It gives athletes something to work for and something to look forward to, a reason to pursue athletics.\u201d<\/p>\n

PUMA ambassador<\/strong> and South African Paralympic shot-putter<\/strong>, Tyrone Pillay (Durban) also showed his support at the PUMA School of Speed #3 at the Kings Park Athletics Stadium.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been part of the PUMA team since 2013,\u201d says Pillay.\u00a0 \u201cThe PUMA School of Speed Series is a great initiative that is definitely needed to help identify South Africa\u2019s young talent.\u00a0 I expect some great talent to be unearthed from this event.\u00a0 My advice to juniors is to always believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pillay\u2019s impressive list of accolades include South Africa record holder and African record holder, gold medalist at the All-Africa Games 2015 and bronze medalist at the Rio Paralympics 2016.<\/p>\n

LIVE Entertainment<\/u><\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0 During the break athletes and spectators enjoyed a live performance by KwaZulu<\/em>–<\/em>Natal<\/em> born musician Holley Rey.<\/p>\n

NEXT UP<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 PUMA School of Speed 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Headed by the World\u2019s Fastest Man Usain Bolt, the PUMA School of Speed Series was launched in 2016 with the goal of identifying exceptional young South African athletes who believe that their future is #ForeverFaster.\u00a0 Junior track & field stars between the ages of 14-19 can follow in the footsteps of Usain Bolt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Event:\u00a0 <\/strong>PUMA School of Speed #4<\/strong><\/td>\nSaturday, 02 March 2019 \/ LC de Villiers Sportsground (Pretoria)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Event:\u00a0 <\/strong>PUMA School of Speed #5<\/strong><\/td>\nWednesday, 13 March 2019 \/ Puk McArthur Stadium (Potchefstroom)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Entry Fee:\u00a0 <\/strong>Athletes<\/td>\nNo Cost to enter the event<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nEnter Online<\/u><\/em><\/strong>:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 www.schoolofspeed.com<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nPlease Note<\/u><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 <\/strong>Athlete entries close two days prior to each event.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Entry Fee:\u00a0 <\/strong>Spectators<\/td>\nR20 \/ adults<\/p>\n

R10 \/ children<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nPay as you enter the stadium.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Events:<\/strong><\/td>\n100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, Long Jump, High Jump, 100m Hurdles (Boys 15, Girls 17 & 19 only), 90m Hurdles (Girls 15 only) and 90m Hurdles (Girls 15 only) and 110m Hurdles (Boys 17 & 19 only)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Age Categories:<\/strong><\/td>\nU15, U17 and U19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

All entrants will stand a chance to be scouted and contracted to the PUMA Squad. The contract will be for the duration of one calendar year.<\/p>\n

Podium winners of each event final will win the following<\/u>:<\/p>\n