Stellenbosch University
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Hard work pays off for heptathlete
Author: Maties Sport Media
Published: 25/04/2017

After many years of hard work Stellenbosch University student and former Bloemhof Girls' High learner Nienka du Toit was crowned SA Senior Heptathlon champion at the ASA Senior Track and Field Championships in Potchefstroom this weekend.

She won the SA Junior Heptathlon title at the same event last year.

"I've very grateful," this BCom student said. "I've been working towards this for many years and all the hard work and sacrifices have paid off."

Nienka was in Grade 9 when she decided to concentrate on the heptathlon event and it is her dream to represent South Africa at the World Student Games and eventually even the Olympic Games one day.

Heptathlon consists of high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin, 200 m, 800 m and 100 m hurdles. The challenge for multi-sport athletes is maintaining a good balance and there is always the risk of injury because they have to train for so many different disciplines.

Nienka's family, friends and coach Seef le Roux play a big role in her life and the fact that she can rely on them to support her contributes to her success, she says.

Other Maties medallists at the SA Champs include Justine Palframan (silver in the 400 m), Keegan Fourie (silver in the high jump), Samantha Pretorius (bronze in the long jump), Kian-Lee du Toit (bronze in the pole vault) and Leandré Ketch (bronze in the girls U/18 heptathlon event).

Boland's 4x100 m women's relay team consisting of Maties Shannon Arendse, Janke van Wyk, Justine Palframan and Samantha Pretorius won gold while the 4x400 m women's relay team consisting of Maties Rogail Joseph, Anruné Liebenberg, Jean-Maré Senekal and Justine Palframan won silver. Boland's 4x400 m men's relay team consisting of three Maties (Wynand du Toit, Jaden Flagg and Gardeo Isaacs) and a representative from Paarl Athletics Club, Linford Maree, also won gold.

The next fixture on the athletics calendar is the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Athletics Championships at the Green Point Stadium on 28-29 April.​

Photo credit: Trevlyn Palframan