Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 108, July 2018 | Page 30

TRACK & FIELD
( Above ) Rikenette with her coach , Hennie Kriel

Rikenette ’ s Record

After coming back from an operation on her foot and having to learn to walk again , multiple SA Champion Rikenette Steenkamp had been frustratingly close to breaking the 21-year-old SA Record for the women ’ s 100m hurdles , but in June she finally claimed the record for herself . – BY SEAN FALCONER & WILHELM DE SWARDT

If ever an athlete deserved to break an SA Record , it was Rikenette Steenkamp . Throughout the 2017 season she had been knocking on the proverbial door of dipping under 13 seconds and improving on Corien Botha ’ s SA Record of 12.94 seconds , which had stood since 1998 , and the same had continued in 2018 . She had finally broken that 13-second barrier , and then had actually run a 12.92 , at the Resisprint International Meeting in Switzerland , but the wind from behind was unfortunately too strong for record purposes .

Undaunted , Rikenette ( 26 ) continued chasing the record , and in June she finally did it at the Memorial Josefa Odlozila Meeting in Prague . Former World Junior Champion Elvira Herman of Belarus won the race in 12.69 , with Rikenette finishing second in a brilliant new SA Record of 12.91 – and that in spite of not having the best of starts , coming out of the blocks second-last , but still leading over the first four hurdles .
“ To at long last break Corien Botha ’ s record was amazing . I have dreamt of doing so for the last seven years . What excites me is that it was not the perfect race . My technique going over the first four hurdles was possibly the best I have ever done , but I was coming onto the hurdles so fast that it led to me losing a bit of rhythm . Then I hit the sixth hurdle – I can ’ t remember when last that happened !” says Rikenette . “ I was quite emotional afterwards , especially when I met up with my coach , Hennie Kriel . I owe so much to him for the way he guided me to break the record .”
Starting from Scratch
What makes Rikenette ’ s SA Record all the more impressive is the fact that just two years ago she had to learn to walk properly again after an operation on her foot ! Having won the SA Schools title in 2009 , then recording a hat-trick of titles in 2010 by claiming the SA Schools , Junior and Senior titles in her matric year , then going on claim the gold medal at the 2014 African Champs in Morocco , she saw her career derailed by constant pain in her foot .
“ After a six-week off-season break in September 2014 , I started training again , but slight pains in my right ankle started bothering me . Despite consulting various physios and doctors , the pain gradually increased . In early 2015 , I tried training three times a week at about 60 % intensity , but that was just frustrating , and at the end of 2015 I consulted a foot specialist , Dr Fief Ferreira , and he finally identified the problem ,” says Rikenette .
“ I had an extra piece of bone about 15mm long in my ankle , which impaired my mobility and therefore caused a lot of pain when running . There was no other option than to do surgery , followed by six weeks ’ bed rest , two months ’ physiotherapy and two months of swimming , whilst working with a biokineticist . That rehabilitation period was difficult , although I knew it would all be worth it , but I could only return to the track in September 2016 ! There were moments when I thought I won ’ t ever run again , but I am so blessed with an amazing family and support system that carried me through this time . They always helped me to focus on the next part of the process , and we celebrated every small victory .”
Bouncing Back Strongly
Today , the pain and frustration of her operation and recovery are distant reminders of how far she has come , spurring her on to still greater achievements , and up to her record run in Prague , Rikenette had posted a remarkable series of results in European races , winning four races and finishing second in a further two . Also , it shows how far she has come , in that posting a second sub-13 in a week , at the Diamond League Meeting in Stockholm , just after the record run , actually left her feeling a bit disappointed …
“ I guess I should be satisfied with a time of 12.99 , as it is only the third time officially that I managed to dip under 13 seconds , but after my 12.91 in Prague , I know that I am capable of running faster times . Still , I am overwhelmed with thankfulness after the setbacks and challenges that I ’ ve been through the last two years . The biggest lesson I have learnt is that it is OK not to have everything under control . I view things very differently now . Life almost never works out completely as planned , so I enjoy my running a lot more now when I am relaxed and make jokes . I also don ’ t see mistakes or bad races as failures . It is part of sport to go through processes , and it ’ s not possible to run a personal best in every race .”
Images : Reg Caldecott & courtesy Rikenette Steenkamp
30 ISSUE 108 JULY 2018 / www . modernathlete . co . za