Madibaz field athlete, Ischke Senekal who hails from Kariega, aims at using her achievements at last week\u2019s University Sport SA championships in Cape Town as a springboard to further improvement this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 29-year-old former Brandwag High learner, who is busy with her master\u2019s degree in education at Nelson Mandela University, won the shot put (15.71m) and took silver in the discus (51.22m) at the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senekal said she was happy with her efforts after what she felt was a disappointing showing at the SA National Championships, earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt did not go as I wanted in the nationals because although I got gold in the shot put, I was only fourth in the discus,\u201d said the 2018 African shot put champion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, for me, the USSA champs went much better as I improved my distances and picked up gold and silver.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic had set her back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat really affected my plans to work on increasing my distances in each event as we could not practise as normal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Senekal said her sights were set on improving her personal bests of 17.56m in the shot put and 56.86m in the discus while her ultimate target was the SA shot put record of 17.88m. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Madibaz athlete has been included in the South African team to compete in the African Championships in Mauritius from June 8 to 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI really want to use that occasion to try to achieve the goals I have set myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senekal has been competing internationally since winning the discus at the African Junior Championships in Botswana in 2011 and said her taste for high-level competition was undimmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSimply, I just want to be the best I can be in the sport that I love,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Positive attitude<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf I motivate some young athletes to achieve well then that is a bonus. My message to them is never to give up on their dreams no matter what because there will be obstacles in your path. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou just have to jump over them and keep looking ahead with a positive attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Madibaz Sport athletics manager, Bernard Petersen, said he was impressed with the performances of their athletes at the championships, where they also achieved four fourth places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere have been some changes in the format, with USSA deciding to go back to the points system in 2023,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt will develop athletics and broaden the base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCurrently we are using the medal system where the institution\u2019s position is determined by how many medals you win at the contest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added that the technical vocational education and training colleges would be part of the USSA athletics calendar next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is a very bold step and it certainly makes the event more inclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMadibaz want to make sure that athletics grows to its full potential among the tertiary institutions and part of our strategy to increase participation is to schedule a track and field event in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are hoping that we will get buy-in from the tertiary institutions in the Eastern Cape for this event.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Madibaz field athlete, Ischke Senekal who hails from Kariega, aims at using her achievements at last week\u2019s University Sport SA championships in Cape Town as a springboard to further improvement this 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