Njabulo Mbatha, the 17-year-old Tuks athlete, prepares to defend his 400m hurdles title at the SA Junior Championships.
Image: Supplied
Njabulo Mbatha is not just competing, he is racing to win.
The 17-year-old Tuks athlete is set to defend his 400m hurdles title at the South African Junior Championships in Cape Town, and his mindset is clear, second place is not an option.
"I am a fierce competitor by nature. Even playing games with friends, I want to be the best," said Mbatha.
His competitive fire has already set him apart as one of the brightest young talents in South African athletics.
Last year, he made history at the South African Senior Athletics Championships in Pietermaritzburg, becoming the youngest athlete to medal in a senior 400m hurdles final. His time of 49.57 seconds was the second-fastest in the world for a U18 athlete in 2024.
Mbatha thrives on competition, especially against older athletes. Earlier this month, at the first Grand Prix Meeting in Pilditch, he stunned the field by clocking a personal best of 49.40 seconds at the time, the fastest 400m hurdles time in the world. Yet, he remains hungry for more.
"Dipping under 49 seconds is a realistic goal, but I don’t obsess over time. The only thing that matters is focusing on my race and executing my technique to perfection," said Mbatha.
His ability to lead with both legs over the hurdles gives him an edge, especially in the home stretch when fatigue sets in.
Interestingly, athletics was not always Mbatha's passion. Growing up in Durban, he was a dedicated rugby winger and even made the Sharks U-15 Rising Stars team.
"I did athletics to improve my speed for rugby. But then I started winning more races, and that’s when I decided to focus on track," Mbatha explained. While he still enjoys watching rugby, he now devotes himself entirely to athletics.
IOL Sport
Related Topics: