Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 149 Feb. 2022 | Page 47

How stressed were you before her races and how did you calm yourself ? Dad : Stress is my middle name , and my daughter is just like me – she stresses just as much as I do – so pretending to be all fine , having a stress-reliever before she started , but most importantly I believed in her , and in the man above . Mom : As a mom I was always worried whether she would be able to handle the outcome , whether it was good or bad . I also had zero sleep the night before her races . walk this way by ZELDA BOTHA
Images : Courtesy Zelda Botha

I

was watching the live stream of the recent South African 35km Championships in Cape Town , and enjoyed watching our phenomenal racewalkers in action , but what I also saw was the supporting parents and coaches . Some were calm , some were pacing up and down , and all were checking their watches every time their athletes passed . I think we all too often don ’ t actually see these people behind the scenes , moulding and shaping the future racewalkers of South Africa .
Something else I noticed was the clapping of hands when athletes went past spectators , including parents giving encouragement to their daughter ’ s direct competition . I also saw one set of parents with their son ’ s name all over their T-shirts , and I highlight this , because I think it is really special . This was the family of our up-and-coming senior walker , Antonio Farmer , and incredible talent who is also juggling being a university leader and church leader .
What we as athletes should appreciate are the people by our side when all we can think of is racewalking . They make sure our drinks are ready , that we are on pace , that we stay calm , and that in the end we achieve the result we wanted . Thank them , because without their support , we would not be where we are today .
Parental Guidance
With that in mind , my parents were recently asked about the emotional rollercoaster ride I put them through as a young athlete . After all , they were at
Antonio Farmer and his family support crew
Zelda with husband Armin and her parents

WALK THIS WAY

Supporter ’ s Perspective

every race , from the smallest ones all the way to the South African Schools Championships . They saw me fail , they saw me give up , and they saw me disappointed , but what they also saw was passion and desire , and a talent not even I could see at the time , since I always believed that my sister had the pure talent , and I had to work five times harder to keep with her . Their answers proved very interesting .
What went into the planning the night / day before the race ? Dad : Calming everybody ’ s nerves , including my wife ’ s ! Planning that my daughter did not know about was that I planned for all the what ifs ... What if it rains ? What if there is not sufficient water ? I also made sure I knew who and what her competition will be . Mom : Making sure she had a sufficient meal the night before – it was usually pasta , and Zelda loved it . I was also the one that made sure she had all the right racing kit ready , and that her drinks were ready for the next day .

How stressed were you before her races and how did you calm yourself ? Dad : Stress is my middle name , and my daughter is just like me – she stresses just as much as I do – so pretending to be all fine , having a stress-reliever before she started , but most importantly I believed in her , and in the man above . Mom : As a mom I was always worried whether she would be able to handle the outcome , whether it was good or bad . I also had zero sleep the night before her races . walk this way by ZELDA BOTHA

When I think about racewalking , my thoughts don ’ t just start at a year when everything as a senior athlete started coming together . They start as a 12-year-old little girl with the biggest desire to make her parents , her school and herself proud .
Zelda and schoolmates the day she won the 2009 SA Schools title
Is there a specific race that stands out from all the rest that you attended ? Dad : Yes , I even have tears in my eyes thinking of it now . It was the day she won the SA Schools Championships in 2009 , in her Matric year . Luckily it was raining , otherwise everyone would ’ ve seen the emotions on my face . Mom : One race that stood out was SA Champs in her matric year 2009 . Her race was last on the programme and it was pouring with rain . She even took off her shoes during the race . I was terrified for her sake , but she stunned us all and won .
Did you know she was going to represent South Africa one day ? Dad : I always believed she had exceptional potential to do so , and I knew her work ethic was above average , so it was definitely possible . Mom : I always saw excitement and passion in Zelda ’ s eyes before every race , and somehow , I knew that big things were waiting for her . Representing South Africa was something I strongly believed she would do . People always come up to me when find out who my daughter is , and say how amazingly she walks , and how proud I should be .
I can only thank my parents for all their love and support through the years , and I salute all parents , family , friends and coaches who support , grow , help and give their very best to us racewalkers , and allow us to undertake this incredible journey .
About the Author
Zelda Botha ( née Schultz ) won the 2019 SA 20km Road Race Walking title and the 2021 SA Track & Field Champs title , and she represented SA at the 2018 African Champs in Nigeria . She balances training and competing in racewalking with a full-time job as a surgical sales representative , and being married to top obstacle racer Armin Botha .
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