From Soweto to the States, sprinter and speed prince Shaun Maswanganyi is taking the running world by storm! Recently, he set a brand new record, making South Africa proud on international tracks:

Texas, USA (01 March 2024) — Shaun Maswanganyi, the iconic 23-year-old sprinter, continues to solidify his title as a prince of speed after a hugely successful stretch in Texas.

An athlete who has held South Africa’s flag up to the stars at every level of competition, Shaun has just made South Africa proud again by setting a brand new record at a track competition that saw speed take centre stage at Texas Tech University.

From Soweto to the States, Shaun’s career as an athlete has grown from strength to strength. No stranger to making South Africa proud, last year, he earned silver in the 100m of the FISU World University Games in China. He has also competed in the Tokyo Olympics, and was ranked as fastest male athlete in SA after his 200m clock-in which dipped below 20-seconds last year. Better yet, these are just a few of his achievements; with others ranging from national records to being crowned the African U20 champion.

 

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A post shared by Shaun Maswanganyi, OLY (@tshedzo.m)

In his recent record-rocking moment, the University of Houston sprinter set a men’s 200m record with 20.41 seconds on the clock. According to Houston Cougar Track and Field, this incredible display of speed means that Shaun has made an “all-time South African record’—the “fastest in South Africa’s 200m indoor short track history”!

 

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A post shared by Shaun Maswanganyi, OLY (@tshedzo.m)

Although he might be a Houston local these days, Shaun’s determination to represent South Africa with pride is unwavering; beneath the red and white kit he wears is green and gold blood as he continues his career as a local and international legend in the making.

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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SA Athletes are lacing up for the World Road Running Championships in Lativa, where they have the chance to make history!

Global (28 September, 2023)— SA Athletes are gearing up for an exciting challenge; amped and ready to put their best foot forward for this year’s World Road Running Championships.

Set to take place in Riga, Latvia from 29 September, this edition of the championships offers a unique twist as athletes will get to compete in a range of distances for the first time, a departure from the event’s single-distance format.

Stephen Mokoka, Elroy Gelant, Precious Mashele and Thabang Mosiako will all tackle the Men’s 21.1km event, while national champ Glenrose Xaba with Cacisile Sosibo, Cian Oldknow and Kesa Molotsane prepare for the women’s half marathon.

The men’s 5km event will see Nicholas Seoposengwe and Maxime Chaumeton lace up, while it’s up to Tayla Kavanagh and Kyla Jacobs for the women’s 5km.

Despite weather concerns, these athletes will work individually and together to put themselves in the best standing to make history. Podium finishes would be a massive win, the likes of which the SA have been gunning for since 1999, when the last SA athletes led us to gold in this event.

While these champs head forward as hopeful victors, others have recently returned home!

Alwande Sikhosana and Leon Els enjoyed their homecoming after an incredibly successful series of slams at the  African Para Games in Ghana where they secured a golden win as a team and Sikhosana was crowned the overall champion.

And, right on home ground, more South African athletes made us proud at the Down Syndrome International Gymnastics World Championships with local superstars shining across disciplines and podium positions.

Sources: Athletics South Africa

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The World Athletics Championships have seen multiple South African Athletes progress to the semi-finals, including Wayde van Niekerk as he continues his comeback streak.

Budapest, Hungary (22 August, 2023) — The heat is on at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where the best of the best South African athletes are currently competing for major titles and medals.

Running from 19 to 27 August, the first few days have already seen big moments from many of South Africa’s star athletes, including Zenéy Van Der Walt, Wayde van Niekerk, and Zakithi Nene.

All of the above athletes have made it to the semifinals for their respective disciplines; 100m hurdles for Van Der Walt, and the 400m men’s semifinals for van Niekerk and Nene.

For van Niekerk who has exhibited an impressive streak this year so far after his winning performances during the Wanda and Silesia Diamond League heats, the World Athletics Championships are another opportunity to return to his best.

“Only time can tell when I get back where I was. We’ll see what happens. Every opportunity to compete at this level is important. I’m just trying to keep a positive mindset with the Olympics coming up next year. Here, it’s just about going round by round and seeing what happens. My body feels good, and the injury is all clear, 100 per cent,” he shared per the Olympics official platform. 

The semi-finals are taking place today.

Meanwhile, in other exciting speedy sports news, Brad Binder celebrated another podium placement at the Austrian MotoGP!

Sources: Athletics South Africa 

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“The champ is back, what a time to be a South African.”

Super-sprinter Wayde van Niekerk has been engulfed in South African support after his comeback journey celebrated another victory—the athlete’s fastest run in seven years!

Silesia, Poland (18 July, 2023) — Wayde van Niekerk is fast and furiously proving that his comeback journey is serious. So serious in fact, that the super-sprinter recently clocked his fastest run in seven years at the recent Men’s 400m event at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland.

Van Niekerk tackled a triumphant time of 44.08 at the event, proudly sharing that his comeback journey is moving in a positive direction.

“Things are moving in a positive direction. I have been able to train consistently. It is my fastest run in 7 years and 44.0 shows that 43 seconds is possible.”@WaydeDreamer reflects on a brilliant victory in the men’s 400m.#SilesiaDL #DiamondLeague
@macroprophoto pic.twitter.com/U73OaH6sK1

— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) July 16, 2023

This meeting record time comes after another iconic moment for the athlete in June as the Wanda Diamond League track transformed from a symbol of prestigious speed into one of enormous hope for van Niekerk.

There, he marked his return to the event after six long years in champion fashion; winning the 400m event and conquering his own past fears that he’d ‘never get back on the track’ in the same pace.

Van Niekerk has become a runner synonymous with resilience for South Africa thanks to his determination following a freak injury in 2017, a mere year after his Olympic gold win at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

If his achievements this year is anything to go by, van Niekerk is gliding well into his comeback era—something many South Africans have long been rooting for.

Of his recent victory, fans showered van Niekerk in love and support.

As one supporter wrote:

“The champ is back, what a time to be a South African.”

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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It’s a historic win for Caster Semenya and the superstar’s supporters as the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of the athlete’s discrimination appeal.

Global (12 July, 2023) — Superstar athlete Mokgadi Caster Semenya is no stranger to victory. However, her recent win against discrimination might be up there with some of the Olympic champion’s most-valued victories.

On Tuesday, Semenya won a lengthy court case related to World Athletics’ decision to require hormone treatment for the athlete should she wish to compete in events. This decision’s measures and procedures, which came about in 2018 were not just a concern for Semenya, but other women athletes who would face the same discrimination.

Semenya, supporters and the South African Parliament appealed against the decision, deeming its measures (which include medically induced reduction of natural hormone levels) to be violative and a case against dignity. Semenya took her case to Switzerland, but it was heard unsuccessfully by the nation’s Supreme Court.

However, Semenya was not ready to give up; contesting the previous ruling by taking it to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

And yesterday, her determination paid off as the ECHR ruled in her favour, stating that Semenya “had not been afforded sufficient institutional and procedural safeguards in Switzerland to allow her to have her complaints examined effectively.”

The Court also agreed that:

“There had been a violation of the prohibition of discrimination taken together with the right to respect for private life as well as a violation of the right to an effective remedy”.

While the win is a moment of victory, there is still a long road ahead until Semenya can run freely again. Still, recognition of discrimination matters for change that protects and respects athletes come about.

As Minister Zizi Kodwa shares:

“While the fight to have Caster racing in her favoured athletics events continues, the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights is a clear statement at how Caster has faced discrimination in her fight against the offensive regulations she has been subjected to.”

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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If you’re wondering why everyone is talking about Belgian shot putter Jolien Boumkwo, there’s an incredible story of the best kind of sportsmanship waiting for you!

Though it wasn’t her field of expertise, Boumkwo stepped in to ensure her team wouldn’t get disqualified. Here’s the full story!

Poland (29 June 2023) — Jolien Boumkwo rose to unexpected fame recently for all the right reasons. What began as the Belgian shot-putter doing her part to ensure her team got their chance to shine, soon spiralled into a showcase moment of sportsmanship and stepping in when it counts the most (even if you’re not prepared).

During the recent European Athletics Team Championships, Boumkwo found herself becoming the personification of ‘I’ve got my team’s back no matter what’. At the last minute, her team risked disqualification due to injured hurdlers. Not prepared to see their hard work go to waste, Boumkwo volunteered as tribute, opting to hop to task and tackle the 100-metre hurdle race in the experts’ absence.

Though shot put and hurdles both fall under athletics, they’re easily worlds apart. Still, Boumkwo—a 12-time national shot put champion in her country—outshone all the hurdles pros, purely because of her intention.

Watch: Shot Putter Jolien Boumkwo Jumps to New Heights to Save Her Team!

@europeanathletics She was a last minute injury replacement #Athletics #trackandfield #Silesia2023 ♬ dźwięk oryginalny – European Athletics

“I was like: it would be a pity if just we would lose by one point so I will just take this on my account and just go for it and enjoy every moment,”— Jolien Boumkwo speaking with CNN. 

Being slower or less experienced in the field hardly mattered. The joyful Boumkwo was the crowd favourite by far, reminding people around the world what sportsmanship looks like and why it matters so much even at the highest sporting levels.

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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South African super-sprinter Wayde van Niekerk made a triumphant return to the elite athletics showcase The Diamond League after years away, leaving naysayers (and other athletes) in the dust.

Oslo, Norway (19 June, 2023) — Wayde van Niekerk’s recent comeback moment had South Africans beaming with pride. After six years, van Niekerk returned to race at the Wanda Diamond League, leaving naysayers and other athletes in the dust as he claimed first place.

“I don’t think people realize just how hard this event is both physically and mentally,” van Nie Kerk shared of his triumphant return after seasons of injury.

“You can see how long it takes me to recover so that shows I’m still not where I’m meant to be but I’m getting there,” the former Olympic super-sprinter added.

Dominating in the 400m sprint, van Niekerk soared in with a time of 44.38, overtaking Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga and the USA’s Vernon Norwood who many deemed the competition to watch.

However, a resilient van Niekerk gave his all to stamp his return to the runners’ prestigious showcase in gold; an applause-worthy and heartwarming moment for the athlete who once thought he’d never get back on the track.

Van Niekerk endured a terrible ‘freak injury’ at the end of 2017 during a tag rugby game for charity, tearing a ligament and meniscus cartilage which put his athletics pursuits on ice just a year after his Olympic gold glory during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Seeing his return at such a prestigious level recently isn’t just a testament to his talent, but also to his determination and spirit, something he’s extended both at his recent peaks and during his pitfalls.

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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The World Para Athletics Championships set to take place in Paris are just around the corner! Meet the incredible squad representing South Africa!

South Africa (07 June, 2023) — Before Paris becomes the home of the Olympics, it will play host to another epic world event—the World Para Athletics Championships.

26 Athletes and officials are set to represent South Africa for the champs running from 8 to 17 July, giving South African participants a closer stance to securing slots for the Paris Paralympic Games. Beyond their sporting greatness, the team is also an incredible group of adversity’s fiercest warriors.

This year’s squad sees a mix of talented athletes and stars in the making, many of whom are former Paralympians.

Ndodomzi Jonathan Ntutu, Zanele Situ, Tyron Pillay, Louzanne Coetzee, Liezel Gouws, Sheryl James, Mpumelelo Mhlongo and Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist in para-cycling – Pieter du Preez are just some of the key players who will hoist our flag high for all of Paris and the world to see.

Meet the Full Team

• Ntombizanele Situ (Javelin)
• Tezna Abrahams (U/200m)
• Sheryl James (100m/200m/400m)
• Louzanne Coetzee (1500m)
• Liezel Gouws (100m/400m)
• Yane Van Der Merwe (Discus)
• Juane Le Roux (Shot Put)
• Simone Kruger (Discus)
• Ndodomzi Ntutu (100m)
• Mpumelelo Mhlongo (100m/Long Jump)
• Puseletso Mabote (100m/Long Jump)
• Tebogo Mofokeng (100m/400m)
• Refilwe Mosifane (400m)
• Jaco Smit (100m/400m)
• Kerwin Noemdo (Shot Put)
• Tyrone Pillay (Shot Put)
• Brandon Beack (1500m/400m/100m)
• Pieter Du Preez (100m/400m)

“Our team has a proven track record of exceptional performances at national, regional, and international para events. We are confident that the selected team is a strong one that will make us proud at the World Para Athletics Championships.

“With Paris 2024 Paralympics drawing closer, excitement fills the air, and such events hold significant importance in the sports calendar as they serve as qualifiers for athletes to secure Paralympic slots,” said SASCOC President, Barry Hendricks.

We can’t wait to root for our athletes as loudly as a 2010 Vuvuzela.

Sources: Team South Africa

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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The 10 000m National Record in men’s running has officially been smashed for the first time in 24 years thanks to the speed of young South African athlete, Adrian Wildschutt.

California, USA (10 May, 2023)—A long-lived South African track record has finally been smashed. After sitting tight for 24 years, the 10 000m record has been broken and a new National Record created by the speed of young South African athlete, Adrian Wildschutt.

The old record saw its final moments last week at Hilmer Lodge Stadium in California during the On Track Fest, before Wildschutt pulled some lightning speed to best the record that’s only a year older than he is.

The previous record was made by Hendrick Ramaala in 1999; making the record-break a personal best for Wildschutt and South Africa.

Team SA shared that previous time was bested by 6 seconds, making the new National Record 27:23.10.

Even more impressive is the fact that Wildschutt hadn’t raced in 6 months. Talk about the comeback kid!

Wildschutt, who is originally from Ceres is just 25 years old. According to World Athletics, he is a World University Games Bronze Medallist and was also in the Top 8 at the Commonwealth Games. Overall, he currently ranks 46th in the world for the Mens 10 000m, with his highest world rank placing him at 38th.

Meanwhile, more sporting South Africans made us proud this week, rowing closer and closer to the 2024 Paris Olympic Qualifiers.

Over the weekend, male and female SA rowers earned Silver and Bronze glory at the Rowing World Cup I; their first international regatta of the year.

We couldn’t be more proud of our local athletes wherever they may stunt in the world!

Source: Various (Linked Above)

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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