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South Africa’s middle-distance sensation Nkosinathi Sibiya sets his sights on defending his 1500m title at the Puk MacArthur Stadium in Potchefstroom from 30 March to 1 April.
Sibiya, a third-year Transport Management student at the University of Johannesburg, has won the national title four times.
But the 2022 title was the most memorable after he survived a mugging in Johannesburg two weeks before the national championships in Cape Town.
He was stabbed in the stomach by two unidentified men in Johannesburg and rushed to the hospital, where he spent a week.
However, the modest athlete told SABC Sport he is more careful and stays indoors ahead of the national championships at the end of the month.
“Life is good, and I am in a good space. I have learned to open my eyes, and I am more careful. I am safe and go and return from training early before it gets dark. Last year, it was an unfortunate incident that nearly cost me a national title. I am in good health and ready to defend my title,” said Sibiya.
Sibiya will race the 1500m and will not do the double in the SA Senior Track and Field Championships in the North West.
And his objective is to beat his personal best of 3:39 and improve his time over the 1500m distance.
Last year, he beat Ryan Mphahlele to the finish line in an incredible sprint at the Green Point Stadium.
But a lot has changed since last year as the two are now friends, living in the same house and training together at the UJ training fields.
“Ryan and I take turns cooking. We live together and train together. We prepare for the 1500m race together. We understand each other and build one another to become better athletes.
But on race day, we will put our friendship aside and focus on the title. We did not discuss the national championships last year because he was too upset when I beat him. Ryan loves winning and gets upset when he loses. I always smile whether I win or lose, and it’s in my nature,” said Sibiya.
In Potchefstroom, Sibiya says he plans to run the race of his life and prove that last year was not a fluke.
“I have to get it right in the first 400m splits. The first split tells you how fast you can go to the finish line. It will be an epic battle,” said Sibiya.
Sibiya (27) will compete in the national championships for the seventh time, winning four gold and two silver medals.
