Ryan Mphahlele on working with his long-term coach Elvis Khoza to achieve his Olympic dream

By Charles Baloyi
13th July 2024

South African middle-distance runner Ryan Mphahlele has been training under the guidance of his coach, Elvis Khoza since he was nine years old.

Now, 26, Mphahlele is experiencing the benefits of having worked with a single coach throughout his athletics career.

Today, both Mphahlele and Khoza are celebrating their first Olympic Games appearance after Mphahlele qualified for the 1500m event through the world rankings.

Mphahlele attributes his success to Khoza’s unwavering support and expresses deep respect for his coach. Their journey, rooted in Tembisa Township, is a testament to belief and hard work.

"He's still young as well and I'm still young as well and I don't look at it’s a way that I'm gonna outgrow him because he still wants to learn how things work in the game. I also still want to learn how to compete in the game and for me, our relationship, I look at him as a father, a brother, a friend, a best friend, not just a friend but a best friend,” Mphahlele said.

“We are more like family and for him to give me the freedom to go about me being me and when doing things my own way sometimes, it just makes it special because he's very accepting of who I am. He's able to guide me in certain things which are outside the running, to be able to shape me as a person. I've learnt a lot from him, in terms of running and life."

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Mphahlele participated in multiple competitions locally and in Europe to gear up for the Olympics.

Earlier this year in Germany, he shattered his national record in the 1-mile event, setting a new time of 3:56:40.

"Earlier on this year in the national championships I competed in the 5000m, I wanted to see how my training was coming along and how I can compete there but it didn't turn out the way I wanted,” he added.

“The focus is still gonna be on the 1500m, especially running a couple of 5km races and I've broken the national record for the 1-mile. I think I'm gonna keep my focus strictly 1500m but when I do have an opportunity, I'm just gonna hop on to a 5km race."