"I'm proud of myself" - La Grange caps of breakthrough SA Senior track season with NR at World Relays

When Kayla La Grange won her first senior national title at the ASA senior track and field in Stellenbosch, she announced herself as a sprinter ready for the global stage. La Grange stormed to the women’s 200m crown at Coetzenberg Stadium, clocking 23.37 seconds - her second-fastest time ever - to hold off defending champion Rumè Burger and claim her first senior gold medal. Overcome with emotion, she broke down in tears as she crossed the finish line, the release marking the end of a demanding 13-month journey.

"Honestly, I'm still working through the emotions right now. I'm still processing what happened. It was amazing. When I crossed that finish line, tears just flew and I was so proud of myself," she told #TheTopRunner. "It's been a very hard 13 months leading up to that national title. So I was just so proud of myself and happy with my coach and everything in general."

La Grange won her first senior title in 2026. Photo Credit: Athletics South Africa.

Despite showing consistent form throughout the Central Gauteng Athletics Track & Field season, La Grange admitted that lifting the title wasn’t something she fully believed was within reach - at least not until it happened.

"I think it was on my coach's mind. It was definitely not on mine. I went to the nationals telling my coach I think I can win a medal. But if it's gold, it's gold. If it's not, it's not. I just want to win a medal. So it was really awesome to trump myself into getting gold," said the 21-year-old Höerskool Randburg Alumnus.

Riding high on that wave of confidence, the University of Johannesburg student turned her attentions to the international stage. A member of the South African U20 team that secured 4x100m relay gold at the 2023 African Junior Championships, La Grange was once again at her best during the World Relays in Botswana where she formed part of the SA Women’s 4x100m relay team including Viwe Jingqi, Joviale Mbisha and Gabriella Marais that set a new national record of 43.22 before bowing out in the semi-finals.

La Grange handing over the baton to Gabriella Marais at the World Relays which took place in Botswana from 2-3 May. Photo Credit: Anton Geyser/Athletics South Africa.

The team — featuring Viwe Jinqi, Rumè Burger, Gabriella Marais and Joviale Mbisha — had already sent a statement to their rivals with a commanding win at the SuperSport Simbine Classic Continental Tour Silver meeting on April 28, clocking 43.83 seconds.

"I think it gave us confidence. This was the first time in a while that South Africa sent a 4x100 girls team. I think this just gives us the self-confidence, motivation and knowledge that we can do this and don't underestimate ourselves. We're here to win. I believe in us more than ever now," La Grange said.