Ryan Mphahlele eyes Commonwealth Games

The much-anticipated Games will take place from 23 July to 2 August, and Mphahlele is targeting qualification in both the 1500m and 5000m events.

Khoza confirmed to the national broadcaster that the Tembisa-based runner will attempt the double as part of his build-up to the international showpiece.

Mphahlele, who trains under Khoza and is a product of township development, is expected to contest both distances at the national senior championships as part of his preparations.

“Next season is an experimental year for Ryan, and what better way to test him than by doing the double,” said Khoza. “We feel that the 1500m alone is not enough for him. The plan is to qualify for both events next season, and I can confirm that Ryan is going for the double.”

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Khoza added that the long-term vision includes preparing Mphahlele to compete in both events at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles but stressed that the upcoming season will be crucial in assessing how well he handles the increased workload.

“We want to be busier than usual and take part in 5km and 10km races next year to work on his endurance,” he explained. “The calendar is not too congested, with the main focus being the Commonwealth Games and a few other races here and there. We want to give him more opportunities to run and see how far he can go.”

Khoza believes Mphahlele’s potential extends beyond the 1500m and feels regular competition across distances will help unlock his full ability.

“I’ve always felt that the 1500m is not enough for him. The plan is to give him more races and keep him busy with a full programme,” he said.

Mphahlele has already qualified for both the Olympic Games and World Championships in recent years, achievements that Khoza views as significant progress and a source of inspiration for young athletes coming from township backgrounds.

“We’ve come a long way. He has shown great discipline, and we’ve been fortunate with injuries along the way,” added Khoza. “This journey has not been easy, but what we have achieved so far is very encouraging.”

Khoza also expressed his desire to see middle-distance running grow in South Africa, with more athletes emerging to challenge in the 1500m and beyond.

“Locally, athletes like Ryan and Tshepo Tshite have pushed each other and gone on to represent the country on the global stage,” he said. “I would really like to see more athletes coming through and strengthening middle-distance running in South Africa.”