Modern Athlete Magazine July 2026 | Page 2

CONTENTS

Modern Athlete – sports stories that inspire.

The latest issue of Modern Athlete has landed! From South Africa ' s sporting stars shining on the world stage to everyday athletes pushing their own limits, this edition celebrates the stories that inspire us all to keep moving. Meet Team SA ' s biggest Commonwealth Games medal hopes, relive the magic of Comrades through remarkable personal journeys, and enjoy practical training, injury prevention and nutrition advice to help you stay active this winter. Enjoy the read!
EDITORIAL

4

Mzansi making history
FEATURE

12

Built for the long run
What a few weeks it’ s been in SA sport, and the best part is, there’ s so much more to come!
Winner of the MUT 168km in George, Lodelia Kombrink’ s story stretches far beyond the podium.
FEATURE

6

Older, wiser and a whole lot faster
Q & A

16

Nene’ s unfinished business
Four years after announcing himself on the Commonwealth stage, world champion swimmer Pieter Coetzé heads to Glasgow as one of Team SA’ s top medal prospects.
Fresh from ending a two-year wait for another Diamond League victory with a win in Stockholm, SA 400m star Zakithi Nene has his sights firmly set on Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow.
PREVIEW

10

Team SA’ s Scottish medal mission

17

Medals, Memories and Magic
From Bolt and Kylie to banter and board games, SA’ s Commonwealth stars share their unforgettable Games moments.
A team of 110 South Africans will be chasing medals at a very different-looking Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August.

On the Cover Cover image by Anton Geyser

COLUMN

18

The best of SA shows up on Comrades Day
Rory Petzer traded his race number for a microphone at this year ' s Comrades Marathon.
FEATURE

20

Every reason to dance
Pg 6
From crawling across the Two Oceans finish line to dancing into Comrades history, Nobuhle Nobukhosi Tshuma ' s remarkable journey is one of hardship, sacrifice and never giving up.
Pg 20
Pg 26
FEATURE

22

Mdodana’ s Glasgow homecoming
Pg 16
Back where her Commonwealth Games journey ended, Zanele Mdodana is determined to help the Proteas make history with a first-ever netball medal.
Pg 22
Pg 34
COLUMN

25

Comrades Marathon 2026: The Up Rope Run
There I was, standing on the start line of my second Comrades Rope Run. Durban to Pietermaritzburg. Up!
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