Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 115, February 2019 | Page 42

TRACK & FIELD
MY
STORY
Double
r
e
t
s
a
M
Gold
Spencer Moraope won gold medals in both the 400m and
800m events in the 45-49 age category at the World Masters
Athletics Champs in Spain last October, rich reward for his
commitment to success in sport, coupled with his desire to
give back to his community near Rustenburg through work
and through coaching. This is his story.
M
y name is Spencer Moraope, born in July 1972 in a small village called
Dikweipi. I currently stay at Paardekral, Boitekong Township, near
Rustenburg. I completed my schooling at J.M. Ntsime High School and
furthered my studies as a nurse at Mmabatho College of Nursing, then worked for
about six years in Obakeng. This village is situated north of Sun City, on the way to
Molatedi. I served there loyally and took care of people physically, spiritually and
emotionally.
I furthered my studies as a nurse by doing a one-year course as a primary
healthcare (PHC) nurse practitioner at Paul Kruger Hospital from 2004 to 2005, and
thereafter I left the Department of Health to pursue my career at Lonmin Medical
Services. I was still looking for something more challenging, so in December 2016
I decided to quit my job to go run my own PHC clinic in Boitekong and Lekgalong,
called the Spencer Moraope PHC Clinic.
I usually work around five hours per day, and this has allowed me to shift my focus
in running, and given me enough time to train and perfect my running skills. I was
doing ultra-marathons, but realised that I had not built any base in my running, so
in January 2018 I shifted from ultras and took up track and field, focusing on the
middle distance events. To begin with I was the slowest amongst other performers
on the track, but that didn’t make me look down on myself. I simply developed a
training routine and kept to it.
My primary motive is setting and achieving targets, and moving beyond my limits,
in life, business and technology, enabling me to achieve the highest goals in sports
and improve my wellbeing. Strong performance is my core value, and I want to be
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ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za