Karmi Karsten, a 12-year-old learner at Lochnerhof Primary School, won gold in High Jump at the South African Primary Schools Athletics championships held in Potchefstroom a fortnight ago.
She jumped a height of 1,6 m – just 5 cm short of the South African record for under-12 girls.
“What makes this performance so incredible is that it was achieved in less than a month of starting coaching with me.
“Karmi’s performance improved by 25 cm,” said her coach Sonette Sanders.
Sanders is an Athletics South Africa (ASA) accredited National Coach, specialising in high jump events. She recently moved to the Helderberg from Gauteng.
Sanders said that seven athletes who qualified to compete at the cluster achieved two gold medals, two silver medals, two bronze medals and a sixth place. “At the Western Province championships the group achieved two gold medals and one silver medal and these athletes then went on to compete at the Western Cape championships.”
Karmi, who is currently in Grade 6, competed in a total of five district and regional events in the lead up to the SA Primary Schools Athletics championships.
“I was just really excited to be there, and I am so happy with my performance,” she said.
