Curro Hazeldean learner hurdles his way into World Athletics record books
12 March 2024Matdozi Ndou, a 16-year-old learner from Curro Hazeldean, just hurdled his way into World Athletics’ record books as the fifth-fastest athlete of all times in 110 m hurdles for the men’s under 18 category – and is three tenths of a second ahead of his runner-up.
Photo credit: Marius Nortje
Matodzi holds national and international records
At Curro’s recent athletics event, Curro Podium, Matodzi broke both the South African and African record in the 110 m-hurdles event, with an astounding speed of 13,21 seconds. In an interview with SuperSport Schools, he said: ‘I started training only the week before. I don’t feel that my fitness level is where it should be, so I wasn’t expecting to break the record.’
Now, just a few weeks later, Matodzi showed why he is one of the country’s most promising up and coming athletes, when he hurdled across the finish line in a speedy 13,15 seconds at the Athletics Gauteng North Championships. With this, he broke his own record set at Curro Podium with 0,0.6 seconds.
Photo credit: Cecilia Bers
Curro Hazeldean’s coach holds him in high esteem
Matodzi started running in Grade 1, but started training more seriously in Grade 4 when he realised how well he performed and how much he could achieve. His coach, Thabo Matebedi – or Coach T as he is affectionally known – is one of the top sprint coaches in the country and joined Curro Hazeldean just recently in July 2022.
At just 16, Matodzi already has a few significant records on his belt. Keep an eye on this young athlete – he is going places, one leap at a time.
Read the original articles here:
Netwerk24: Curro se Ndou (16) vyfde vinnigste junior van alle tye in 110 m-hekkies
Good Things Guy: Meet Coach T – The man responsible for turning dreams into gold medals