"I feel very good" - Camara smashes 46-year-old 200m record

Curro Hazeldean sprint sensation Bintou Camara stole the show by breaking a 46-year-old U16 girls' 200m record at the Curro Podium North meeting on September 19 at Pilditch Stadium. Camara, set the stadium alight when she broke Evette de Klerk's 1980 mark of 23.94 seconds, clocking 23.91 to win the U15 girls' 200m before clocking 11.82 to win the 100m dash.

Camara smashing record at the Curro Podium North track & Field Meet which took place at the Pilditch Athletics Stadium in Tshwane on 18 & 19 September. Photo Credit: Cecilia van Bers.

Her record-breaking run was one of the defining moments of the two-day competition, which combined landmark performances with unprecedented growth. The 13-year-old Grade six learner's performance also earned her the Victrix Ludorum title for the best junior girls' track athlete.

"I feel very good with the time I ran. I was struggling a bit at the end but it went well," said the reigning U16 SA 100m champion who is an alumna of Totomeng Primary School in Soweto.

Camara poses with the principal of Totomeng School during the SA Schools Championships at the Germiston Stadium in 2025 where the then 12-year-old won the sprint double. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Camara's breakthrough was among the highlights of a meeting that more than doubled in size from its inaugural edition, reflecting the depth of talent emerging through school athletics.

A total of 1 058 primary school athletes from 33 schools participated in the competition, producing 89 records across the primary school events. Laerskool Lynnwood topped the primary school standings. The high school competition attracted 2 224 athletes from 69 schools. Die Hoërskool Menlopark finished first overall, followed by Curro Hazeldean in second place.