The Curro Podium Athletics Meeting is one of the most prestigious high school athletic events that attracts over 1,500 promising athletes from 45 schools.
This event was hosted by Curro Hazeldean at Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane. It was backed and sanctioned by Athletics SA (ASA) and World Athletics, supported by Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
During the championship, athletes shattered national records with incredible spectacles, notably Akani Simbine’s spectacular sprint run.
Three records were broken, including Akani Simbine’s new South African record (150m), Viwe Jingqi ‘s new South African record (150m), and Tebogo Letsile’s new world record (300m).
Participating schools included top sports-performing schools such as Paarl Boys High School, Menlopark Hoërskool, Paarl Gymnasium, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool and Helpmekaar among others.
Six Curro schools also participated, namely hosts Curro Hazeldean, Curro Thatchfield, Curro Nelspruit, Curro Krugersdorp, HeronBridge College, and Windhoek Gymnasium in Namibia.
“I am very privileged to be part of this prestigious event as the guest of honour,it has been such a fruitful event in the past and it continues to showcase what it is made of and the talent we have in South Africa,” Said Simbine
Teams competed in several middle-distance heats, sprints, hurdles, discus throws, and high jumps events with team trophies awarded to the best boys and girls athletics team and the best combined athletics team.
Individual trophies were presented to the best male and female track athletes, the best field athlete, the Junior Victor and Victrix Ludorum, and the Senior Victor and Victrix Ludorum with them being Junior girl track athlete – Janelle Kirkpatrick (Die Hoërskool Menlopark), Junior girl field athlete – Alexandra Scheepers (Windhoek Gymnasium)
A string of high-caliber professional sportsmen and women pushed their limits during the event’s Classic Shoot Out till the grand Finale. Professional athletes to watch for included South African Olympians Akani Simbine, Tlotliso Gift Leotlela, Zakhiti Nene, Thapelo Phora, and Carina Horn. World junior 400m Champion Lythe Pillay, World Junior 100m Champion Letsile Tebogo and Coetzee will also be competing as well as Norwegian Olympian Line Kloster, Namibian Olympian Beatrice Masilingi, and DRC Olympian Oliver Mwimba.
Die Hoërskool Menlopark managed to defend their title from last year, to come out tops again at the Curro Podium Grand Finale. And well done to Curro Hazeldean for winning the best boys’ team. And to Menlopark for winning the best girls’ team.
“We are incredibly proud of Curro’s robust athletic programme after all, the very name Curro means I run in Latin. Our programme continues to develop and advance the minds and character of our most adept learners”
“We aim to help create future Olympians, we are thrilled to have successfully hosted this grand Finale Curro Podium Athletics meeting”
“Where aspiring young sports talent had the chance to compete against each other on a national level and showcase their skills and abilities in front of Olymican role models,” said Pierre le Roux, Executive Head at Curro Hazeldean.
