Race walker Lee Sue Nyathi has her sights on the World Athletics (WA) Race Walking Team Championships in Brazil and the WA Junior global showpiece in the USA after her “worst year” as an athlete.
The 18-year-old, who represented the country at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U18 and U20 championships in Nigeria in July, concluded the year on a high after being nominated for junior athlete of the year at the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Awards held at Melrose Arch on December 7.
Despite winning the women’s 10 000 m race walking title at the ASA U16, U18, U20, and U23 track and field championships in Cape Town in March, Nyathi said this was a “bad year” as she dealt with the pressures of matric and mental health issues.
Lee Sue Nyathi with her certificates at the CGA Awards. Photo: Lebohang Pita
“I don’t think it was a great year. I could have done better. I could have gotten a medal at the African champs, but it was just a bad year for training and mental health.
“Everything was all over the place, especially because I was in matric. But I’m glad I got nominated, even though this was my worst year. Next year, it’s going to be better,” said Nyathi.
The Masai AC walker clocked 52:02.64 to power to a dominant victory in the women’s 10 000m at the ASA junior and youth champs, winning the race by more than 17 minutes, for her second title in the distance. The Kwa-Thema resident didn’t really hit her stride at the CAA champs, but has chosen to focus on the positives, especially with the new season set to start in January.
Lee Sue Nyathi won the U20 women’s title at the CGA track and field championships in March. Photo: Lebohang Pita
Lee Sue Nyathi competes at a CGA track and field league meeting earlier this year. Photo: Lebohang Pita
Having represented South Africa at the last race walking team global showpiece in Turkey in 2023, she is planning a major assault on her age-group’s provincial and national titles before turning her attention to the race walking champs and world juniors.
“I know I will be making national teams again. You will probably see me at the World Race Walking Champs and World Juniors. I can’t wait to show what I can do. It’s going to be a better year. I will be ready for everything that comes my way.”
Now under the guidance of Olympian and multiple national champion Wayne Snyman, Nyathi, a multiple national champion at the age-group level, is confident she will have a successful year.
“He’s such a great race walker. I know I will become a great walker because of him,” she said.
Lee Sue Nyathi was nominated for junior athlete of the year at the CGA Awards. Photo: Lebohang Pita
Lee Sue Nyathi. Photo: Lebohang Pita
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