GRAAFF-REINET ATHLETICS NEWS - Yet another athlete from Graaff-Reinet is shooting for the stars in the national sporting world.
The 20-year-old Nielton Loxton held the town's name high on 13 and 14 March when he took a step closer to achieving his athletic dream of representing South Africa in athletics.
At the Eastern Province Junior Athletics in Port Elizabeth, on a track riddled with water jumps and hurdles, Loxton won gold in the 3 000 m category. In the 4 000 m category, he finished fourth.
This achievement saw Loxton advance to compete with senior athletes at the South African Athletics Championships, to be held at the Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane. The event was booked for 23 - 25 April, but due to the Covid-19 virus spread, a new date may be set.
Loxton, a product of Ryneveld School and Spandau Secondary School, competed at school level in athletics, but at the age of 17 decided to spread his wings. He then knocked on the door of Camdeboo Athletics Club coach, Daniel Goliath, for help.
Goliath identified Loxton as an athlete who has the talent to master difficult obstacle courses such as those found on a steeplechase track - a running race that includes hurdles and water jumps.
With the gold medal around his neck, the proud athlete say this is just the beginning. His aim is gold at the SA Championship, and then he wants to take on the world's best steeplechase athletes.
Not only does Loxton excel in the track event, he also runs cross country, winning the district championships for Spandau when he was an u. 19-athlete.
Loxton's secret to success is to believe in yourself, your potential to grow, and to always say: "I can do it!".
Nielton Loxton shows off the gold medal he won at the Eastern Province Junior Athletics Championships. Photo: Christo Vermaak.
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