{"id":299868,"date":"2024-04-03T14:22:42","date_gmt":"2024-04-03T12:22:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/free-state-runner-impresses-in-international-competition-debut-20240403\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T15:41:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T13:41:29","slug":"free-state-runner-impresses-in-international-competition-debut-20240403","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/free-state-runner-impresses-in-international-competition-debut-20240403\/","title":{"rendered":"Free State runner impresses in international competition debut"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Youthful cross-country and middle-distance track athlete Tseko Thoabala (18), a learner of the Mohlodi Thuto High School, made a good impression on his international debut in the highly competitive World Athletics Cross-Country Championship. Representing South Africa, he managed to finish 42nd overall, clocking at 25:14 in the junior men\u2019s 8 km of the global event held in Serbia\u2019s capital city of Belgrade on Saturday, 30 March. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of team, Tseko (18), finished in fifth position behind four teammates, with one member finishing outside the top 50-bracket. The other peers\u2019 positions were as follows: Rico Leijenaar (24:30, 23rd), Zenzile Pheko (24:39, 25th) Musawenkosi Mnisi (24: 44, 27th), Corn\u00e9 de Fouw (25:12, 39th), and Realeboga Smith (26:00, 61st).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The South African crew was slower compared to the three podium finishers, Samuel Kibathi of Kenya (22:40), Mezgebu Sime of Ethiopia (22:41), and Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto of Kenya (22:46). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tseko, however, was excited about the opportunity to represent his country globally. The bare-foot runner was the only Free Stater in the U20 men\u2019s contingent that Athletics South Africa (ASA) selected on merited performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>

<\/p>\n

From the left, Rico Leijenaar, Tseko, Corn\u00e9 de Fouw, Musawenkosi Mnisi, Realeboga Smith, and Zenzile Pheko.<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tseko earned himself a ticket to his first-ever international race after he attained sixth place in the final trials in Potchefstroom last year. In other series, he obtained the first and third position in series held in Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacob Moseme, trainer, said he was proud with the athlete\u2019s improvement and making it in top 50-bracket at the world championship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI saw a great improvement. His usual time is 26:00 or 27:00 minutes in 8 km cross-country. There is room for improvement and we are going to continue working on improving for his next national and international competitions,\u201d said Moseme.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Youthful cross-country and middle-distance track athlete Tseko Thoabala (18), a learner of the Mohlodi Thuto High School, made a good impression on his international debut in the highly competitive World Athletics Cross-Country Championship. 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State runner impresses in international competition debut | BloemNews Express<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/free-state-runner-impresses-in-international-competition-debut-20240403\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Free State runner impresses in international competition debut\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Youthful cross-country and middle-distance track athlete Tseko Thoabala (18), a learner of the Mohlodi Thuto High School, made a good impression on his international debut in the highly competitive World Athletics Cross-Country Championship. 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