Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 116, March 2019 | Page 42

TRACK & FIELD
MA: You recently shared on Instagram “I’m working so hard to reach my
potential goals… 2019 will be the year to remember!” What are your goals for
the year?
Folavio rocking
his Puma kicks
FS: This is a World Championships year and I am hoping to better my PBs over
1500m and 5000m. This year will also be the first time I run the 5000m against the
likes of Elroy Gelant and Stephen Mokoka. I would like to learn from them, as they
are my idols.
MA: Is track still your focus, or are there plans to move to the road?
FS: Yes, my coach, management and I have already made plans to move to the
road full time. My PB for 10km is 29:36 at the Cape Town Marathon 10km, and
my PB for 21km is 1:03:58 at the SA Championships in Port Elizabeth. We will be
selective in terms of racing here at home, as I want to be exposed internationally,
and I picture myself running the major marathons some day. I haven’t run a
marathon yet, but maybe later this year at the Cape Town Marathon!
MA: How do you manage your role as a father of two with your running
career, which can take you far from home?
FS: It’s tricky, but running is my job, so if my family doesn’t understand that
daddy sometimes has to leave for a few months, then there will be a problem,
because bills won’t be paid. I’m glad I’m married to a very understanding and
supportive woman.
MA: How do you prepare yourself mentally for a big race?
FS: Good training works with your mind, and if you know you have put in the
work, then you become mentally strong. Also, I’m a big Mo Farah fan, so I use his
tactics, and they work for me, too.
MA: You shot a campaign for PUMA recently. Would you say you are a
A Year to
Remember
natural in front of the camera?
FS: Ha, ha, when I got the e-mail from PUMA about the shoot, I told everyone and
some of my friends didn’t believe me until they saw it happening. I’m so grateful to
be given this opportunity.
MA: Tell us about the community service projects you support.
FS: It’s always in my heart to help people, because I am who I am today thanks to
someone who gave me many opportunities, my coach, Dr Berry. Last year, a friend
asked me to launch a foundation to help communities and kids in rural areas. We
provide them with opportunities, like scholarships to attend better schools, and
helping them get to races. We also help the elders in the community by hosting
lunches during the festive season and providing them with blankets. It’s hard to
help everyone, because we are doing it out of our pockets, but once we have solid
donors, we can help more people.
MA: Lastly, what can your fans expect if they follow you on Twitter and
MA: What made you become a professional runner?
FS: Back in my primary school days I got to see athlete Jerry Motsau at assembly
and he had lots of medals. That inspired me. In my younger days I was a soccer
player coached by Nthando Ndzandzeka, the PSL referee, and his younger brother,
who was a runner. During practices he would ask us to run 4km to the railway
station, pick up a stone and run back. I would outrun everyone and beat them by
four to five minutes, so he encouraged me to join athletics, and in 2003 I took part
in school events and began breaking records. The late Zet Sinqe then came to
develop athletes in my community and he told me that I can change my life through
running.
MA: What do you consider your career highlights so far?
FS: I’ve been all over the world, and won so many races, but if I had to choose
the highlight, I would say winning the 1500m at the SA National Championships
in 2016, after three years of knocking on the door. I had finished third in 2013
and 2014. Winning the title showed that my preparation was in place. Before the
nationals, the great Mr Hendrick Ramaala said with the work I’m putting in, no one
will touch me at the SAs. He supported me with anything that I needed, and all the
hard work paid off. Thanks also to the Zoo Lake training group!
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ISSUE 116 MARCH 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Instagram?
FS: I’m new on these platforms, but since I have joined Puma South Africa it’s
nice to share my training and to brag about my PUMA kicks! Everywhere I go,
people ask me, “Where can I get those shoes?” So social media is going to be a
place where I display more of my performances, and my journey with PUMA.
The joy of claiming
the SA 1500m title
in 2016
Folaviao’s PBs
800m
1500m
1mile
3000m
10km
21km
1:48.36
3:39.41
4:01.34
8:05.13
29:36
1:03:58
Interview courtesy of Splash PR on behalf of Puma SA. You can follow Folavio
on on Twitter (@MambaMentalitie) and Instagram (iam_4lavio).
Former SA 1500m Champion Folavio Sehohle is aiming to
make it to the World Champs in 2019, but then may turn his
focus to the road. We caught up with him for a quick Q&A.