Keen to compete and win national and later international competitions, Gift Nefolovhodwe (19) believes that success depends on goals one sets for oneself.

The pupil of Murunwa Private School in Makhado (Louis Trichardt) recently finished seventh in a senior half-marathon during the Mandela Day Marathon in Durban.

His keen interest in athletics started with a mere fun run he entered five years ago while he was still a pupil of Tshikwarani Primary School. After completing the run, he realised that running and cycling were his natural talents. Since then, he has entered various local races.

In 2010, he joined the Soutpansberg Athletics Club. In 2012, he went on to win the Makoppa 30 km cycling challenge. This motivated him to continue training hard and to enter various local and national competitions. In April this year, he was among the top 200 athletes who completed the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town. It took him only three hours and 36 minutes to finish the 56 kilometres, which proved that this youngster took his talent seriously.

Gift, who hails from Madombidzha village, has urged young people to focus on their goals in order to succeed in life. “If only young people of my age can refrain from substance abuse and delinquency, sports will ensure that we are succeeding in life and, at the same time, accomplishing and winning accolades,” he said.

Despite his recent success in running and cycling, Gift spends his time tirelessly focusing on his school work. “When am not at school, I spend most of my time training. I believe that sports will help me prepare for my future,” he added.

Gift acknowledged and thanked all the people who have sponsored him throughout his athletics career. “Most people have sponsored me financially, morally and encouraged me to work hard, especially when I was in Durban recently. If it were not for people who sponsored me, I don’t think I would have made it alone,” he said.