Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 60, July 2014 | Page 21

Glasgow Goals

my goal

Ma

With Team South Africa heading to Scotland for the Commonwealth
Games at the end of July, we spoke to a number of our track
athletes and triathletes about their hopes for the Games.
– BY SEAN FALCONER

Cornel Fredericks, 400m hurdles: Training has gone well! This will be my first
time representing SA at the Commonwealth Games, and I know to win a medal I need to be
hungry, focused and ready for that moment!

Andre Olivier,

800m: My goal for Glasgow is first I need to get into the semi’s, then
it’s getting into that final, and once there, I hope to get a medal, of course. I think I’ve learnt a
lot the last couple of years, that I can run with the big names, so going into these Games I’m full
of confidence.

Cornel Fredericks & LJ van Zyl
Simon Magakwe & Akani Simbine

Kate Roberts,

Triathlon: I am really excited that I have been selected for the Games
in Glasgow, and thank you to everyone who has been there and supported me during this testing
time in my triathlon career. I am excited to throw my heart and soul into the next few weeks,
give it my everything and to make you all proud.

Simon Magakwe, 100m: Since breaking 10 seconds, I do feel more pressure,
because now I have to run it again, and to run that fast is not easy… but I am hoping for the
best in Glasgow, to be in the final, and I’m just training to see myself improve.

Fanie van der Merwe,

Para-sport 100m: It has been an exciting season so
far. We are busy with the Grand Prix series, and had the privilege of a training camp in Gemona,
Italy, preparing us for the competitions ahead. I feel extremely privileged to be part of Team SA.
I am in good shape, and I will give it my all.

Johan Cronje (70)

Zarck Visser, Long Jump: All I want to do is make that final first. When I have done

that, I’ll be jumping for gold!

Johan Cronje, 1500m: I think I’m lucky, because I haven’t done the necessary

workouts for fast times yet, but I’m already running decent times. I just hope all goes well the
next month, because then I’ll be in the kind of shape I want to be at the Commonwealth Games.

Wenda Nel, 400m Hurdles: I am very excited for the Games, and my first goal will

be to reach the final. Once there, I want to end on the podium. Rankings of athletes are a good
idea of their performances, but anything can happen in a final. I want to be the best I can be on
the day, and just want to enjoy it.

LJ van Zyl, 400m hurdles: I have good memories from the 2006 Commonwealth

Wenda Nel

Games – gold and a champs record in the hurdles and silver in the 4x400 – and then silver in the
hurdles in 2010. Looking ahead, if my rhythm and stride pattern work out well, I’ll have a good
Games again, and we also have a mean 4x400m team of Wayde, Cornel, Shaun and myself!

Richard Murray,

Triathlon: I really believe I can medal at the Commonwealth
Games, the body will be ready, but we need a plan to be implemented from the South African
team. Other countries have their plans in place for the race and I hope we can come up with a
winning strategy.

Images: Van Zyl Naude

Anaso Jobodwana, 4x100m Relay: I’m just aiming to do well for my team
and for my country, that’s the main focus right now, and to compete like I always do.

Andre Cronje (38)

Willem Coertzen, Decathlon: I’m very excited about Glasgow, been working

really hard this year! I’m not the guy who speaks a lot before a competition, I let my actions on
the day speak for me, but I really do want to do well, and I feel like I have a very good chance
to medal, so that’s the main focus going into Glasgow. I’m really pumped up for it!

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