Hendrick Ramaala not surprised by Maxime Chaumeton’s record-breaking run

The 25-year-old shattered the South African 10km record at the Brasov Running Festival, clocking an astonishing 26:55 — eclipsing Adriaan Wildschutt’s previous mark of 27:28 set in Gqeberha earlier this year.

Ramaala, who mentors the national 5000m champion, told SABC Sport that Chaumeton’s record is one for the ages.

“We saw in training that he had the right attitude and the hunger to achieve something special. We had planned to break the record, but we didn’t expect the time to be that fast,” said Ramaala.

“He worked extremely hard for this opportunity and took it with both hands. This record is not vulnerable — he took it to another level, and I don’t see it being broken anytime soon.”

Chaumeton, who holds dual South African and French heritage, is sponsored by international sportswear giant ASICS, a partnership that has opened doors to elite international races and lucrative opportunities abroad.

“Having an international sponsor allows him to compete at big global events,” Ramaala added. “It was always part of our plan to chase records and push barriers. He has a home in both South Africa and France, but for now, we celebrate him as one of our own. Zoo Lake is his training home — it’s our base, our family.”

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While Ramaala admits he cannot predict whether Chaumeton might one day represent France, he insists that for now, his focus remains firmly in South Africa.

“He’s more South African than French in spirit. But if France were to offer him something tomorrow, that would be his decision. For now, he trains here and represents us proudly.”

Ramaala hinted that their next target is to chase national records in the 5000m and 10,000m, declaring Zoo Lake as the new hub for record-breaking ambitions.

“We want to make Zoo Lake the home of records,” he concluded. “We’re already planning for the next one."