'I know there are haters in our sport' - Mokoka calls on SA to rally behind Gelant World Champs marathon medal bid

Stephen Mokoka has called on South Africa to rally behind Elroy Gelant, describing his former Boxer AC teammate and long-time rival as a World Championships medal hopeful. Gelant will be the country's only participant in the men's marathon in Tokyo on Monday 15 September where he will aim to improve on Mokoka's fifth place finish at the Doha World Championships of 2019. After running 2:05:36 to break Gert Thys' 26-year-old SA Record on 27 April, Gelant is in the form of his life and Mokoka believes that he is capable of delivering the nation’s best World Championships performance of all time.

"I wish him well. He's an inspiration to me because of his 2:05. He broke the barrier after a very long time and I thought I would be the first to do that. He's a tough competitor and is psychologically strong. Remember that so far as the Olympics are concerned Baba Josiah Thugwane who won gold in 1996 is SA's best, and then at the World Champs it’s me with fifth place. But I think Elroy can break that if everything goes well."

Mokoka and Gelant pose for a photo at the 2024 Paris Olympics where Gelant came away with a credible 11th place finish. Photo Credit: Supplied.

The four-time Olympian was speaking during yesterday's (11 September) press conference ahead of tomorrow’s (13 September) sold out Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km race where he will compete against the likes of Thabang Mosiako, Cwenga Nose and Comrades Marathon champion Tete Dijana for top honours. He recalled how Gelant used the 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban 10km where he took second place behind Kabelo Mulaudzi in 28:04, as a springboard to a then 1:00:56 21km personal best at the World Road Running Championships in Latvia a few weeks later. That was the beginning of his two-year journey towards these World Championships in Japan.

"Elroy's first PB close to 27 minutes was at the Hollywoodbets 10km in Durban and that was his motivation because from there he finished 13th or 14th at the World Half Marathon Championships. Remember that last year, at this time of the season he was running his last race. He had a very busy year, but this time he decided to take it easy and raise the flag high by focusing on the World Champs."

Gelant chasing Mulaudzi with Mosiako in toe at the 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban 10km. Photo Credit: Hollywoodbets Durban 10km.

Confirming that he would be getting up at 00:30 on Monday (15 September) morning to watch the race, Mokoka urged all South Africans, especially members of the running community to show their support for the 39-year-old saying he knows how disheartening it can be to represent one's country at a major global competition, when some of your compatriots do not wish you well.

"I know there are haters in our sport and I know there are people who don’t want others to succeed. I remember when I went to Doha I told people that I'm going to win a medal because the brain, the body and the spirit was there. I told them that those whose hearts are closed will automatically open and some will collapse. I hope all the South Africans can support him and cheer for him because he is representing us. I hope South Africans will be glued to their TV's and support him with all their hearts. I hope it's Elroy’s day to get a medal for South Africa in the marathon. We put our faith in him."