'I always keep my eyes on the end goal of the Olympic Games' - Davida Strong ready to represent SA in Eswatini

Davida Strong announced her arrival on the big stage with a fearless performance at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) senior track and field championships in Potchefstroom in April, clocking a lifetime best of 55.07 seconds in the women's 400m final. Facing off seasoned athletes like Olympian Miranda Coetzee, multiple SA Champion Shirley Nekhubvi and former SA youth record holder Precious Molepo, the young sprinter from Johannesburg showed composure beyond her years and potential that makes her one of South Africa’s most exciting one-lap prospects.

Since claiming the U16 girls' 400m title in 56.27 at the ASA age-group track and field championships at Msunduzi Stadium in Pietermaritzburg in 2023, the 17-year old has continued to chip away at her personal best. She clocked 55.11 to finish second in the U18 girls' 400m final at last year's national junior and youth champs at Pilditch Stadium before securing a runner-up finish in 56.26 in the same event at this year's edition in Cape Town in March.

Strong celebrates winning one of her two gold medals for South Africa at the recent AUSC Region 5 games in Namibia. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"I enjoy pushing myself. When I cross the finish line and my body and head hurt, it shows that I've done a good job. I also love the feeling of chasing people, especially in the last 100m when no one can feel their legs and it feels like you are running through mud," she told #TheTopRunner.

The Trinity House Randpark Ridge learner, coached by I Have Talent's (IHT) Jannie van der Merwe, has also won the South African School Athletics (SASA) 400m for the past three years. She clocked 56.87 for victory in the U15 girls' final in 2023 and won in 56.90 in the U17 girls' category last year, before making it three in a row with 55.54 at this year's competition in Bloemfontein, in April.

Strong with her coach Jannie van der Merwe. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"I enjoyed the 100m and 200m when I started running. But Coach Jannie convinced me to participate in a 400 race. I was so mad at him because it was tough. I told him I hated it and will never do it again. He just stood there looking at his stopwatch with a huge smile and said, 'the 400m chose you, you didn’t choose it'. It has since become my main event," she explained.

Strong, who hailed her mom, Virginia, and Oom Jannie for their support, recently delivered a golden performance at the AUSC Region 5 Games in Namibia with a gold in the individual 400m, before anchoring South Africa to victory in the girls' relay. She will represent South Africa again at the Confederation of School Sport Association of Southern Africa (COSSASA) in Eswatini from August 23 to 29. But her biggest goal is qualifying for next year’'s World Athletics (WA) U20 championships in the USA.

Strong competes in the women's 400m relay at the AUSC region 5 games. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"I hope throughout my athletics journey, which is not easy, I always keep my eyes on the end goal of the Olympic Games. I also hope that with the help of the Lord, I always strive to improve, celebrate the wins and overcome the challenges to become an athlete younger generations would look up to."