JANSENVILLE NEWS - Endinako Jola (17), a Grade 10 learner at Gcinubuzwe Combined School in Jansenville, broke the record of the 3 000m in a time of 08:53 to win a gold medal at the National Schools Athletic Championships held in Bloemfontein last weekend.
Jola started his athletics journey at Hobson Khanyisa Primary school in Klipplaat where he has been winning Eastern Cape colours in long distances since 2022.
Endinako (meaning "What I can…?") represented the Sarah Baartman district in Queenstown two weeks ago, where he continued his winning streak.
He attended the National School Athletics Championships in Bloemfontein where he claimed a second place in the 1 500m track and won his gold in the 3 000m.
The community of Jansenville gave Jola a celebrity welcome last Sunday.
His father and coach, Luthando Sikiwe, also a long distance runner, inspired and encouraged him to do track and field items.
He was hesitant at first, but in 2024 he did justice to his name, proving that he can " (endinako).
He participated in the 1 500m and 800m where he achieved podium places.
"The 3 000m had only the final, with no preliminary rounds," Endinako told the Advertiser.
"In the first two of the eight laps I did not go all out, because it was raining, so I relaxed but maintained my pace.
In the last five rounds, I said to myself it was time to go – I couldn't take it easy any more – and I went.
In the last two rounds I was alone, with one guy chasing me, but he could not catch up with me as I increased my pace.
"I did not panic; I was supposed to run in the first lane but I ran in the second lane.
The danger of running in lane one in a pack like that is that you can be easily pushed off the track, and could be disqualified, so I ran in the second lane to keep myself safe.
I was not tired but managed to keep the pace. I was determined to win that race and I did," he said.
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