Although the 2024 athletics season is concluding, Bryan Katoo and Cindy Strydom from Nico Malan High School in Humansdorp, are starting their celebrations after being honoured for their commitment to athletics at the Eastern Province Athletics Annual Awards Ceremony on November 16 in Gqeberha.
As previously reported, Katoo from Hankey initially began competing nationally as an athlete when he was a Grade 4 learner at Stulting Primary School in Humansdorp.
By Grade 9, he finally broke through in the sport when he received his first Athletics South Africa (ASA) bronze medal in the 200m u/16 sprint in 2022. Katoo quickly began working toward his next challenge, and in 2023, he won silver in the ASA 400m u/18 sprint. Thankfully, Katoo’s hard work was not in vain.
Some of the Grade 12 learner’s highlights for 2024 include obtaining first place in the ASA u/20 400 metres in Pretoria and second place at the South African Schools Championships in the Western Cape. In addition, in August this year, he was selected as the sole athlete from Kouga to represent South Africa on the global stage at the World Athletics u/20 Championships in Peru.
At the championships, he came fourth in the u/20 400m heat and second in the u/20 4x400m relay.
At the recent EPA awards, Katoo shone brightly after being awarded Track and Field Junior Sportsman of the Year, Track and Field Overall Male Athlete of the Year, and EPA Sportsperson of the Year.
Katoo said that he was proud of himself after achieving multiple awards, especially the award of EPA Sportsperson of the Year. “I felt like I’ve really worked hard for this award, so winning the trophy felt really amazing, and I hope others can learn and want the same results for themselves,” said Katoo.
Looking ahead to the new year, he said that he has great plans to conquer new goals. “Next year, I want to remain as the 400-metre champion for u/20 and compete at the African Championships in Athletics and the University Sport South Africa games in Germany,” said Katoo.
Strydom from Humansdorp said that she started high jump at the age of 10; however, it was only when she turned 14 that it became “her whole life.”
The Grade 11 learner said that in Grade 9, she took part in her first ASA competition, where she won a bronze medal and then went on to win gold the following year. With a personal best score of 1.75 metres, Strydom was chosen to represent South Africa at the African Games in Zambia, where she won a gold medal.
“It was the best feeling in the world to represent my country and a huge privilege. Winning gold was only possible with God’s power and help,” she said.
This year, she won a bronze medal at ASA, a silver medal at SA Schools, and a silver at ASA Seniors. Although Strydom believes that this year’s season was not her best, she said she had learnt a lot through the many experiences she encountered.
Ahead of the 2025 athletics season, she said that she plans to focus on the big year that awaits her and give it her all to prepare for it.
“In the season of 2025, I hope to jump 1.80 metres. I would also like to represent my country again and participate in high jump overseas,” said Strydom.
At the EPA awards, she was honoured with the Track and Field Youth Sportswoman of the Year Award, for which she is very thankful.
Strydom said that it was nice to be recognised by the EPA, adding that when she received her award, she thought of all the people who had played a role in her sporting career thus far, including her mother, Charmaine, who has been her coach and support on and off the track. and her brothers, Roberto and Oscar. Additional support that she is grateful for includes the assistance she has received from the school caretaker, Louis Vosloo, affectionately known as “Oom Louis”; her athletics team who, with smiles on their faces, always take out the mats for her to practice, and her school.
