Eleven-year-old Eva Hanekom from Fish Hoek Primary School is quickly establishing herself as one of the Southern Peninsula’s most promising young athletes.
Hanekom works hard balancing an impressive training schedule with her Grade 6 studies while representing Western Province in athletics and cross-country competitions.
The track and field athlete has already achieved remarkable success, representing the Cape Metro Western Province cross-country team in 2024 and last year, competing at the prestigious Western Cape Championships.
Recently, she achieved a bronze medal in the 1200m category for the Western Province Athletics Championships which was held in Blue Downs on Saturday 28 February.
At this event she was awarded WP Schools Athletics colours and went on to represent WP Schools Athletics at the Western Cape Championships this past Saturday.
As a junior member of Fish Hoek Athletics Club, Hanekom demonstrates commitment that extends far beyond her years.
Her passion for running began early, with competitive training starting at just nine years old.
“I have always loved sport, especially running, since I was little,” Hanekom explains.
Her athletic prowess runs in the family as she follows in the footsteps of her great aunt, who was a middle-distance runner and Western Province team member.
Beyond athletics, Eva excels in multiple sports, playing first team hockey at school while maintaining her track and field commitments.
Her diverse sporting interests also include mountain biking and swimming, reflecting her love for outdoor activities.
Her weekly training schedule demonstrates remarkable dedication for someone so young.
Tuesday and Thursday mornings feature squad athletics sessions before school, while Wednesday evenings are reserved for time trials at the club.
Thursday afternoons bring “fun athletics,” and Friday mornings feature cross-country runs from school to the beach, including refreshing swims before returning.
“Every week is not the same, I may miss a session here or there depending on how busy I am,” Eva notes, showing mature understanding of balance.
She prioritises homework completion before training sessions, with weekends typically reserved for rest and recovery.
Despite her intensive training schedule, Hanekom maintains perspective on life balance.
With parental support, she successfully manages school responsibilities while prioritising family time, friendships, and essential downtime for recovery.
She continues developing her athletic talents while maintaining academic excellence.
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