Modern Athlete Magazine March 2026 | Page 2

On the Cover Cover image courtesy of Swimming South Africa / Anton Geyser
CONTENTS

Modern Athlete – The memorable moments, the incredible people, and the stories that matter!

The March / April issue has landed! We bring you inspiring comebacks, stories defined by perseverance, and expert voices that resonate. Dive in and enjoy …
FEATURE

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Editorial
Since our relaunch a couple of months ago, we promised a wide variety of inspiring sports stories, and this month I think we’ ve really delivered.
Simbine Classic
The World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet aims to bring world-class athletics to South African soil.

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From heartbreak to hope
From Olympic disappointment and major injury to a renewed love for the sport, Lara van Niekerk is back on the blocks and looking forward to the future.

On the Cover Cover image courtesy of Swimming South Africa / Anton Geyser

FEATURE
FEATURE
FEATURE

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The Gift of Speed
Battling back from injury setbacks to rediscover his best form, Gift Leotlela heads to Stellenbosch determined to defend his national 100m title.
Epic in every sense
From hospital beds to mountain biking’ s toughest challenge, Mhlengi Gwala and Rudi Joubert turned survival into an Epic story of courage and purpose.
Meet Netball SA’ s new CEO
In a sport largely driven by women, Adam Brooke is ready to bring a fresh perspective to the role.
The soundtrack to success
South Africa’ s athletes share what’ s on the playlists that power their preparation, performances, and downtime.

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Born for the big moments
Meet the 20-year-old sensation who went from schoolgirl javelin star to one of the Proteas’ most clinical finishers.
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COLUMN

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The gift in the grind
Rory Petzer gives us a heartfelt reminder that every kilometre – even the freezing, painful, and " stupid o ' clock " ones – is a profound privilege we shouldn ' t take for granted.
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Trading sweat for school fees
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From ocean swimming to mountain peaks, 180 athletes pushed through an extreme triathlon to raise millions for affordable schooling.
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