After announcing herself in spectacular fashion at the recent World U20 Championships, rising South African athlete Boitumelo Ramokgopa is not looking back, aiming higher and setting her sights on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.
Ramokgopa displayed an impressive performance at the championships, returning with two silver medals in the 100m and 400m hurdles and clipping 0.02 off the personal best of 55.90, which she set last year in the 400m hurdles.
The 18-year-old has since opened up about her achievement and some of the sacrifices she needed to make to complete the silver double in Eugene, Oregon.
“Getting my medals just puts me in so much disbelief, just having to be so proud of myself and grateful to God,” Ramokgopa exclusively told Sunday World.
“These medals just bring so many emotions, having to look back on everything I’ve been through. I’ve had to make so many sacrifices building up to the championships, such as staying longer at my residence in university just to train.
“I also had to sacrifice a bit of my social life to help me focus on the world championships, and it all paid off. It’s difficult to balance academics, athletics, and a social life, especially now in university, but with some determination and managing my time, I did find a way to work around that.”
As far as her targets are concerned, the 18-year-old sprint hurdler coached by George Bradley said her sights are on breaking into the senior setup and debuting at the upcoming Olympics.
“My next target is just doing better for myself. I am looking forward to improving as I grow into a senior. I have goals set for myself, such as making my debut at the LA Olympics.
“But just seeing myself represent my country as much as I can will always be an honour for me,” Ramokgopa added.
Born and raised in Kempton Park, Ramokgopa says her passion for athletics started at the age of six at Laerskool Jeugpark Primary School as an all-round athlete.
However, she was fascinated by hurdles and gravitated towards the sport three years later, and the rest is history for the world junior silver medallist who has a bright future ahead.
- Boitumelo Ramokgopa won two silver medals in the 100m and 400m hurdles at the recent World U20 Championships.
- She improved her personal best time in the 400m hurdles by 0.02 seconds, lowering it from 55.90 to 55.88.
- Ramokgopa made sacrifices such as spending extra time training and limiting her social life to prepare for the championships.
- Her goal is to break into the senior athletics setup and debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
- Ramokgopa began her passion for athletics at age six and started focusing on hurdles at age nine.
After announcing herself in spectacular fashion at the recent World U20
Ramokgopa displayed an impressive performance at the championships, returning with two silver medals in the 100m and 400m hurdles and clipping 0.02 off the personal best of 55.90, which she set last year in the 400m hurdles.
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“I also had to sacrifice a bit of my social life to help me focus on the world championships, and it all paid off. It’s difficult to balance academics, athletics, and a social life, especially now in university, but with some determination and managing my time, I did find a way to work around that.”
As far as her targets are concerned, the 18-year-old sprint hurdler coached by George
“My next target is just doing better for myself. I am looking forward to improving as I grow into a senior. I have goals set for myself, such as making my debut at the LA Olympics.
“But just seeing myself represent my country as much as I can will always be an honour for me,” Ramokgopa added.
Born and raised in Kempton Park, Ramokgopa says her passion for athletics started at the age of six at Laerskool Jeugpark Primary School as an all-round athlete.
However, she was fascinated by hurdles and gravitated towards the sport three years later, and the rest is history for the world junior silver medallist who has a bright future ahead.
