South Africa has become a prominent force in the sprint categories in world athletics thanks to the efforts of Wayde van Niekerk, Anaso Jobodwana and Akani Simbine.
The latest rising star is Port Elizabeth-based, Luxolo Adams. The 20-year-old has announced himself on the world stage already.
He will be running in the 200 metres event at the Zurich Diamond League meeting next week. He dreams of gold medals for his country.
Luxolo Adams hails from the small Eastern Cape town of Burgersdorp. The young flier was inspired by the fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt and he is now one of South Africa’s best.
His immediate goal is to break through the 20 second barrier in the 200 metres. He made a name for himself when he finished second in the 150 metres sprint, beating world champion, Justin Gatlin, in Pretoria in March with a time of 15.18 seconds.
“That is the moment I will never forget, I knew I could beat him, we had a plan. But Justin is a world class sprinter but for me that was a very big confidence booster. But I believe I need to work harder.”
Tokyo 2020 is the long term goal now. Adams plans to improve his performance by taking on the world’s best at the Diamond League Events in Europe.
“My aim is to adjust to the conditions overseas. But I have a good attitude and I want to use all the diamond leagues to sell myself internationally. I also want to make my country proud in Tokyo with a medal.”
Gerrie Posthumus is Adams’ coach. He has been honing sprinters since 1984 and has high hopes for his latest star.
“He has a good attitude. You could see where he wants to end up, and he is very good and lovely to coach. He is the inspiration to the younger generation of sprinters in South Africa.”
Adams leaves for Zurich on Monday.
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