Cape Town - Denmar Jacobs had plenty of spring in him as he leaped his way over barriers to become the South African men’s Under-20 110m hurdles record holder.
A short few months ago this dream had almost slipped from his fingertips.
The Bellville Athletics Club athlete injured his tendon during a training session which affected the use of his hamstring muscles.
He was treated twice a week and his coach Marcél Otto kept him on a rehabilitation programme.
His first race of the new season was the men’s U20 110m hurdles final at the Western Province Athletics (WPA) Age Group Championships last month, which saw him finish in second place.
A few weeks later, Denmar represented WPA at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Age Category Championships, where he finished in the same position in the same event.
In both the heats and final, he ran the World Athletics U20 Championships qualifying time. The global event will take place in Cali, Colombia in August.
To his surprise, the Cravenby teen ran a national men’s U20 110m hurdles record of 13.44 seconds at a club meet last weekend.
Denmar said it was mission accomplished.
“The SA record was one of our objectives for the 2022 season, seeing it will be my last year competing as a junior.
“I had a very difficult season, the objective was to run a smooth race, do the basics right and run a good time. My coach said take it as a practice run, and I went into the race with that mindset.
“(The competition at nationals) was challenging as always but I focused on myself and my own race.
“We (my father and I) believe that you need to always measure yourself against the best and know what your competitors are capable of. My hard work is paying off as I improve (on) my times,” he said.
Denmar, who grew up on the West Coast, said his future goals are to represent SA at the World Athletics U20 Championships, bring home the gold medal and to become a professional athlete.
“I am blessed with a huge talent, but talent alone does not guarantee success. Therefore to be successful one must work hard, put the hours on the training field, stay focused and committed,” he said.
His father, Denzil, described him as committed, hard-working, focused and headstrong.
“We have worked since 2019 on his career after he made a conscious decision that he wants to be a professional athlete.
“His success is due to hard work, sacrifices (no social life), commitment and a strong will to succeed. As a father, you are happy for your child if he or she succeeds, especially when they pull through when the going gets tough. I am truly proud of him,” he said.
Otto said Denmar is an extremely motivated athlete.
“His training times in January were astounding. Not even Antonio Alkana (South African and African record holder in the men’s 110m hurdles) could believe his eyes at the ease with which Denmar delivered these performances after only starting training with my group in December.
“So many promising athletes disappear in the first few years after matric. If I'm given the opportunity, I have to slowly fine tune his speed and technique so that he can have a long and illustrious career as a senior athlete.
“I hope to see Denmar compete as a senior athlete, rewrite the SA records book in both the 100m (sprints) and the 110m hurdles and become an established and successful competitor on the world stage,” he said.
Weekend Argus