Golden boy Walaza thanks Curro after securing sprint double at World Athletics U20 Championships

Bayanda Walaza lived up to his pre-race billing to underline his status as the fastest teenager on earth. After becoming the first Curro learner to represent South Africa at the Olympic Games earlier this month, the 18-year-old Curro Hazeldean matric learner won the World Athletics U20 Championships 100m and 200m title in at the event which took place from the 27th to the 31st of August.

A mere twenty days after winning the silver medal in the men’s 4x100m relay alongside Akani Simbine, Shaun Maswanganyi and Bradley Nkoana at #Paris2024, Walaza stormed to a commanding 10.19 victory in Lima to claim gold on Thursday 29 August, as his countryman Nkoana took bronze in 10.26. The silver medal went to Thailand’s Puripol Boonson (10.22). He then followed that up with a 20.52 a day later to secure the coveted sprint double.

Walaza thanked Curro for making it possible for his coach Thabo 'Coach T' Matebedi to travel with him to the Olympic Games where his individual preparations for the World Athletics U20 Championships continued alongside his work with Team SA.

"This year my goal was to do well at the World Championships. I always travel with Coach T and I’d like to thank my school for all the support they have given me. My school pays for him to travel with me, which helps me not to panic. So for example, I was going to panic if I had to go to Paris alone, but thankfully Coach T was with me because I still had to do my sessions for the World Championships."

"I had to trust myself. I had to be zoned in and tell myself that whatever happens, I have to finish strong so that I don’t end up having any regrets and feeling like I didn’t give it my all. I truly appreciate what I just did. I can’t believe it."

For all he has achieved over the last three weeks, Curro CEO Cobus Loubser praised their golden boy describing him as an inspiration to his peers across all the groups’ schools. "Our mission is to create opportunities and to help learners succeed in every aspect of their lives. Curro believes that every learner matters. We are compelled to nurture, guide and support young talent."

"We have a large organisation and we have developed and driven our sporting ambition over the last few years. What Bayanda represents is the opportunity that will lead every learner to believe that they can also achieve greatness. It’s incredibly powerful for us and we are super proud of being a little part of his story because he’s done this. It’s him. He put in the work and we are delighted that we’ve been able to support him," said Loubser.