Bayanda Walaza staying grounded as World and SA junior champion

The World U20 100m and 200m champion lived up to expectations at the ASA age-group championships in Tshwane on Friday as he dominated the men’s U-20 100m race in a time of 10.26 seconds, 

Beating another rising star Karabo Letebele, who finished second in 10.33 seconds, and Zattu Hlongwane, who came third in 10.44 seconds, Walaza said he remains grounded as a junior despite having already achieved success on the senior stage.

"Yes, surely I'm happy with the run because it is nice to come and compete against the great people, fast people – Letebele is here, Zattu, Lethabo [Maloma], all of them are just great athletes," said Walaza.

"It is fun to run against these young ones, and to also show them that the sport is great – imagine racing against someone who you see on TV, it's possible.

"I'm also trying to show them as well that a silver medalist doesn't tell himself that he is big because I came and run with them here to show them that they can do it as well.

"So for it feels great to be here, I enjoy each and every moment, I enjoyed the crowd – they are very supportive and I thank each and every one of them – and, yeah, I enjoyed everything."

Despite winning a silver medal in the men’s 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics and securing double gold in the 100m and 200m at the World Junior Championships in Lima, Walaza still holds his gold medal from the SA junior champs in high regard.

"Surely I'm reaching for the sky, each and every achievement that I'm achieving, I take it as an assessment, plus in this assessment you'll open doors for this assignment, if you pass this assignment, it opens doors for [the next] assignment," he added.

"So each and every achievement I use to unlock other [opportunities] as well – I cam be celebrating that I was a Olympic relay silver medalist, that is great, but I also need to put South Africa on top. 

"Also, as a 100m [runner] coming from Katlehong, he just comes and wins a gold medal out of nowhere – the first South African to get a gold medal at the Olympics, that would be great, so the achievements I've had are what's pushing me to what I am now." 

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