'It's about staying calm in the big moments' - Hurdler Megan Nieman targets World Junior Champs after stellar 2025 season

South Africa's rising hurdles star Megan Nieman has her sights set firmly on the global stage, with the World Athletics Junior Championships and Youth Olympic Games topping her wish list as she looks to build on a breakthrough 2026 season. Fresh off a year that saw her shatter age-group records, dominate the national scene and surge into the upper reaches of the world U18 100m hurdles rankings, the teenage sensation is eager to convert momentum into international opportunity.

"I'm working towards qualifying for the nationals in both the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles and to put myself in a position to be considered for selection for the world junior champs and the Youth Olympic Games," she told #TheTopRunner.

Nieman celebrates success at the 2025 CAA U18 and U20 Championships. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Coached by JJ Smith and Irma Reyneke, Nieman's rise has been underpinned by versatility and consistency. Among her standout achievements were gold in the 100m hurdles and silver in the 400m hurdles at the 2025 CAA U18 and U20 Championships in Nigeria. The 17-year-old also boasts personal bests of 59.02 in the 400m hurdles and 11.74 in the 100m flat. She believes competing in both hurdles events has accelerated her development. 

"The 100m hurdles help with speed and technical precision, while the 400m hurdles build strength, endurance and race awareness. Balancing both has helped me grow as a more complete athlete, and I enjoy the different challenges they each bring."

The Hoërskool Menlopark learner announced herself on the world stage in September when she clocked a blistering 13.10 seconds at the NWU Top 30 at the MacArthur Stadium in Potchefstroom, making her the third fastest U18 women's 100m hurdler in the world for 2025. Only Italy's Alessia Succo (13.04) and Jamaica’s Tiana Marshall (13.08) ran faster.

Nieman spent the 2025 season improving her technique over the barriers and was rewarded with ending the season as the third fastest U18 100m women's hurdler in the world. Photo Credit: Cecilia van Bers.

"Seeing my name high on the world rankings is very motivating, but it also keeps me humble," she said. "It shows that the work I'm putting in is paying off, but I know there is still a lot to improve. I try not to focus too much on rankings and rather on continuing to develop and better my own performances. Breaking SA age-group records was special, but I learned to trust the process. I improved technically, became more disciplined in training, and started to believe that I belong at a higher level," she said. 

She has opened her 2026 campaign in encouraging fashion, clocking 14.36 in the U20 women’s 100m hurdles at Athletics Gauteng North's (AGN) first track and field meet on January 17, before storming to victory in the U19 race at the Wildeklawer TUT Top at Pilditch Stadium on January 28. 

"Technically, I'm focused on improving consistency, especially my hurdle rhythm and efficiency under pressure. Mentally, it's about staying calm in big moments and trusting my preparation," she said.