{"id":50978,"date":"2021-10-07T09:00:22","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T07:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/gold-medallist-returns-home-20211005\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T19:45:52","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T17:45:52","slug":"gold-medallist-returns-home-20211005","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/gold-medallist-returns-home-20211005\/","title":{"rendered":"Gold medallist returns home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>THE world gold medallist athlete, Mihlali Xotyeni (18) has finally arrived home to Mthatha after making historic remarks in Nairobi, Kenya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Xotyeni and his team members, Letlhongonolo Moleyane, Benjamin Richardson and Sinesipho Dambile broke the u\/20 World Record with a record time of 38.51 seconds in the 4x100m relay during the World Athletic Championships in Kenya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He arrived at Mthatha Airport at 13:30 on Sunday and was escorted by a motorcade to his home where he was welcomed by a group of family members and Christian delegation including pastors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Xotyeni said winning the world gold medal opened many doors for him and other athletes from rural areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis medal taught me to keep working hard to get more gold medals,\u201d said Xotyeni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He described the journey in Nairobi as an unforgettable moment in his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe race was amazing. Going to the track I was nervous and scared because everyone was watching,\u201d said Xotyeni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt was amazing how we worked as a team. As much as I was scared, it was exciting,\u201d said the champion after arriving home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The previous world record was 38.62 seconds held by the USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Xotyeni\u2019s coach, Martin Lehloenya from Khanyisa High School Athletic Club urged other young sportsmen and women to put in their best effort in their respective sports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI feel so proud. I didn\u2019t know I could produce such an athlete up to international level,\u201d said Lehloenya.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>THE world gold medallist athlete, Mihlali Xotyeni (18) has finally arrived home to Mthatha after making historic remarks in Nairobi, 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Mihlali Xotyeni (18), has finally arrived home in Mthatha after making history recently in Nairobi, Kenya. Xotyeni and his teammates, Letlhongonolo Moleyane, Benjamin Richardson and Sinesipho Dambile, broke the u\\\/20 world record with a time of 38.51 in the 4x100m relay during the World Athletics Championships in Kenya. He arrived at Mthatha Airport on Sunday and was escorted by a motorcade to his home.Read the full story on page 12. 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Mihlali Xotyeni (18), has finally arrived home in Mthatha after making history recently in Nairobi, Kenya. 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