Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 115, February 2019 | Page 40

TRACK & FIELD
With two SA titles to her name in the women’s 3000m
steeplechase, Cherise Sims is more determined than ever
to go after the SA Record this year, and that won’t be the
only ‘hurdle’ in her 2019 plans. – BY MANFRED SEIDLER
S
Cherise celebrates
winning the SA Title in
the 3000m Steeplechase
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ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Well, 25-year-old Cherise Sims meets all of those specifications, having
represented South Africa at the Southern Region Cross Country Championships
in Mauritius in 2018 and then going on to compete in the 3000m steeplechase at
the African Championships, which she describes as quite an experience. “I am still
learning the 3000m steeplechase event. I may have won the SA Title two years
running, but I have a lot to learn and lots to improve on. Imagine being on the start
line with six other athletes who are all between 30 seconds and a minute faster
than you... that’s already something. And one of them is in fact the World Record
Holder, a record that was set about two weeks prior to the Africa Championships...
It was quite overwhelming! But I learnt so much, from watching how the
Kenyans and Ethiopians warm up, to how I should look at racing. It was such an
unbelievable experience.”
ooner or later, most of us who are active in sport need to spend time with
the physio, to massage sore muscles, treat injuries or undergo rehab. So
when we go to the physio, it stands to reason that we would prefer being
treated by somebody that knows and understands our sport. Even better if that
physio is not only an active athlete, but a national athlete, with two SA titles to her
name and who has represented SA on the track. Then we know we are in good
hands!