Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 92, March 2017 | Page 25

Gezelle says her biggest goal this year is to qualify for the World Student Games in Taipei, and then if things go well, she hopes to also qualify for the World Champs in London in August.“ Last year I went to the World Junior Champs in Poland, but only made it to the semi-final, which made me very upset, but then again it was my first year as a student, the biggest thing I had ever had to adapt to. Also, I think I was trying too hard to prove to others that I could do it, and that was probably the wrong way to do it.”

“ The only senior Champs I’ ve been to so far were the African Champs in Durban last year, where I made my final and finished sixth, and helped the 4x400 relay team win the gold medal. My target was to make my final, as it was my first year competing against seniors, and I was very happy to achieve that. So, qualifying for the World Champs this year would be huge for me, but the long-term goal is to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. I’ m planning on shocking South Africa, in a very good way, with faster times, and hopefully a medal.”

Looking Forward

With her first challenging year of varsity behind her, Gezelle’ s star is once again on the rise. She was recently signed as a Brand Ambassador for Puma, also becoming part of the company’ s School of Speed initiative, and says she is really excited about signing her first contract as an athlete. When asked whether she sees herself turning pro eventually, she gives a measured answer:“ I will only turn pro once I have something behind my name to fall back on, and provided my athletics career is going well enough. For now I want to finish my degree, then I am thinking of studying teaching as well, because I enjoy working with young kids.”

As for her focus on the track, she says the 400m hurdles remains her number one event, but her coaches also have her running the 400m flat, and she says it is a valuable aid in her main event.“ I like the 400 flat, because if I know my flat times, I can basically adjust it to predict my hurdles times. So if I run a flat 53, I know I can run a 55 on hurdles. My best 400 flat time is 53.9, and last year I ran a 57.7

Gezelle celebrates her gold at the Youth Olympics

Gezelle’ s Personal Bests

in the hurdles, so this year I am hoping for a 55. I actually find the flat more difficult, because in hurdles you just focus on the next hurdle, but in both events the last 80 to 100m are agony – it literally feels like somebody is injecting cement into your legs! But I have this need for speed and also the will to win... it’ s this fire inside me, so I’ m excited to see what I can achieve.”

100m 12.31s • 200m 24.66s • 400m 54.72s 100m H 13.89s • 400m H 57.75s • Long Jump 5.45m

The Deloitte Challenge KZN Sunday, 7 May 2017

The Amphitheatre, Durban Promenade theDeloitte

CHALLENGE

KwaZulu-Natal

The most beautiful race on the east coast for your: Personal best. Comrades training. First race.

CYCLE CHALLENGE

40km

Lifestyle Centre, Ballito

Total prize money of R84 000!

CONTACT Race Director: Barry Holland Race Office: 032 586 3822

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