Matodzi Ndou sets new South African record at Curro Podium North meet
18 September 2024Curro Hazeldean’s Matodzi Ndou delivered a standout performance at the Curro Podium North Athletics Meet held at the Pilditch Athletics Stadium in Tshwane on 18 September 2024. Matodzi made history by setting a new South African record in the Boys U17 110m hurdles with a time of 12.94 seconds. Over 2,000 athletes from 55 schools compete in Curro Podium North.
Breaking barriers
The Grade 11 learner’s time is the fastest ever recorded by a South African U17 athlete and currently the world-leading time for 2024 in this category. Matodzi’s achievement is also the third fastest ever run by a 17-year-old worldwide. Matodzi said, ‘It feels great. It’s something that I’ve been planning, but I wasn’t really sure if I would run this fast. I’m still processing it all. It’s amazing to run here with some of the best athletes.’
Recognising excellence
For the second consecutive year, Matodzi was named Best Senior Boys Track Athlete of the Meet, contributing significantly to Curro Hazeldean Boys team’s first-ever victory in the boys' section. Curro Sport Portfolio Manager, Cindy van der Merwe said: ‘What we have in mind when it comes to Curro Podium is to give athletes the opportunity to be exposed to a next level event. We see the bigger picture. We are already looking for the future Bayanda in Matodzi. And it would make our hearts warm if, at the next Olympics in Los Angeles, we have four to six athletes representing South Africa that ran at our Podiums.’
Rising stars to watch
Other standout athletes included Tukssport High School’s Selena Rocha, who won the Girls U17 100m and 200m, earning the Best Senior Girls Track Athlete award. Hencu Lamberts from Afrikaans Hoër Seuns secured the Best Senior Field Athlete title after winning the shot put and placing second in discus.
View the Curro Podium North results here:
The next leg of the Curro Podium Athletics competition will take place in the south of the country, at Dal Josaphat Stadium in Paarl, Western Cape on Saturday, 19 October 2024, followed by the Grand Finale in February 2025.