Teenage SA skateboarder Boipelo Awuah relishing Olympic dream

Awuah got her first opportunity on the big stage at only 15 in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but could not continue her journey due to an injury sustained in training.

Speaking to SABC Sport, the 19-year-old is excited to get back on the world stage and represent her country, as well as the continent.

"Personally, yes, I'm definitely ready for these Olympics. I believe it's going to be my best performance ever – I feel good on my skateboard, I've never trained this much, and I've never skated this much for a competition," said Awuah.

"This time around, I also feel I've worked a lot harder than [for] Tokyo, so I'm definitely excited – excited to learn from my competitors and create amazing memories."

In 2020, Awuah sustained an injury to her pelvis and was forced to stop training and could not compete at the Tokyo Olympics. 

She says that experience only started affecting her after the Olympics.

"After getting injured in Tokyo – at the time I was only 15 years old, so it didn't hit me as hard, but months after it was very difficult looking back at it, I was heartbroken," she admitted.

"Of course, it would have been amazing to be able to skate at those Games, but I would say it definitely prepared me for this time around – I'm mentally more prepared, my skateboarding has improved a lot since then as well.

"So now looking back it, I would say God works in mysterious ways, and [though] the injury was sad, he definitely allowed that to happen in order for me to prepare properly for this moment."

READ: Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Five South African stars to watch