Tumi Ramakgopa explains why she prefers the 400m over the 100m hurdles

The 17-year-old has made history by securing both the junior and senior national titles in the 100m hurdles this year, but she remains focused on the 400m hurdles.

She aims to achieve even greater success as she transitions from a junior to a senior athlete. 

While she excels in both events, Ramokgopa admits that choosing between them can be challenging at times.

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However, after winning the national title and earning three junior medals this year, she shared her thoughts with SABC Sport.

"I definitely prefer the 400m hurdles because it allows me to establish my rhythm, and even if I make mistakes, somewhere I can always get my steps back," explained Ramokgopa. 

The Grade 12 learner at Prestige College in Pretoria explains that she is using the 100m hurdles as a way to improve her speed, believing it will enhance her performance in the 400m hurdles.

"Competing in the 100m hurdles serves to develop speed over the hurdles. Aside from that, it has been a hectic three days, and I'm really really proud of myself for the season I've been able to produce so far," said Ramokgopa. 

The athlete, coached by George Bradley, expressed deep admiration for her idol, Marione Fourie, a multiple-time national 100m hurdles champion. 

Unfortunately, Fourie was unable to defend her title at the national championships due to her commitment to the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen and Shanghai.

The Tshwane-born athlete always believed it was only a matter of time before she claimed her first senior title, but the victory would have meant even more if her idol, Marione Fourie, had been in the race to push her to a faster time.