Tshepo Tshite reflects on his journey as he gears up for the new season

Since turning professional in 2018, Tshite has enjoyed a steady rise on the global stage, representing the country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the World Senior Athletics Championships in Tokyo last year, and several other elite international competitions.

Proud of how far he has come, Tshite says he remains motivated as he continues to balance the 800m and 1500m events, with the ultimate goal of stepping onto the podium.

"It was all about God for that strength to be able to run World Champs, to be a national champ in SA, to run even in the Olympics. It's all about trying by all means to get a medal, even if it can be in any event,” Tshite said. 

“Athletics is just a journey for me, it's not something that I can say I like 800m, I'm gonna retire on 800m. It's all about enjoying the journey. Only God knows which event I'm gonna be able to get a medal but the one thing that I want is to get a medal."

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After making the final of the World Senior Championships in Tokyo, Tshite believes the time is approaching for him to grow as an athlete by moving up in distance.

He told the national broadcaster that there will come a point where he transitions to the 5000m and shifts focus away from the 800m and 1500m.

He will get his first real test at the ASA National Championships in Stellenbosch from 17–19 April, where he plans to compete in the 5000m as part of his long-term development.

"Any event, if I can be a champion, remember each and every year, I'm growing. I can't say it's 1500m because even in two years to come I can move to 5000m. I'm that athlete who's gonna try by all means to graduate each and every year,” he added.

“The plan is all about being a champion, regardless of which event, as long as I can be a champion, that's my journey because I won't be in 1500m for the rest of my career. There's gonna be a time that I'm gonna move up."