Aiden Smith pleased with back-to-back national titles, but misses Blignaut rivalry

Smith first announced himself on the national stage with a surprise win over Blignaut in Potchefstroom in 2025. 

He successfully defended his crown at the Athletics South Africa Senior Track and Field Championships in Stellenbosch on Thursday, producing a best throw of 20.51m in Central Gauteng Athletics colours.

However, the 21-year-old conceded that the competition lacked its usual edge, with Blignaut — a multiple national champion now based in Italy — absent from the contest.

"Very good I mean there is always an absoulute pleasure and an absolute honour to be here and comptete on South African soil for nationals. I mean this is my second senior South African title, not as rewarding as the previous one because the previous one I was throwing against Kyle Blignaut so I was hoping he was going to be here again today and give a better competition. But I mean it's a title and I am happy with it," said Smith

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Smith, who boasts a personal best of 20.73m, was satisfied with his performance in the Mother City, but made it clear that he is chasing bigger distances as he continues to develop. His immediate target remains breaking the 21m barrier.

The Tshwane-based shot putter emphasised the importance of consistency, highlighting that maintaining a solid series of throws will be key to unlocking further progress in a highly competitive discipline.

"We just trying to stay consistent. I mean even on my worst days I want to throw in the twenties, you know. But we trying to get that consistency up a bit and a notch up because if I can have a bad day at throwing a 21m I can make a final on a bad day."