Luan Munnik confident of reviving middle-distance running in South Africa

Middle-distance athletes are often overshadowed by South Africa’s top sprinters, but Munnik and Tshite are quietly making their mark on the international stage. 

The duo delivered impressive performances at the African Senior Championships in Accra, Ghana, on Sunday, with Munnik winning gold and Tshite taking silver in the 1500m final. . 

Munnik believes the growing rivalry between them, along with the competition of athletes such as Jerry Motsau and Ryan Mphahlele, can help restore South Africa’s reputation in middle-distance running.

"I'd love to be the hope and yeah, I definitely think me and Tshepo have elevated the game. Tshepo would have probably got close to a medal at World Champs but he had an amazing indoor season, so I'm looking forward to seeing what we do, over next year and this year at World Champs and the Olympics. I think we just gotta keep doing what we're doing now. Like I said if we keep running fast times the rest of us are gonna push and that's gonna give the elite middle distance a name."

READ: Team SA shine in Ghana to defend African title despite challenges

Munnik has also called on Athletics South Africa to invest more in middle-distance running by increasing support for athletes, improving prize money, and creating more racing opportunities.

He believes regular competition against strong opposition is key to helping South African runners improve and compete consistently at the highest level internationally.

"I think in any form if we can have more support at a domestic level in South Africa, for example for a race like this, if they can fund races like this more prize money, more incentive, even at the coast, if they can run fast like the Cape Mile as we have in this race now. We just need more of that now, more opportunities it's gonna be better performances."