Marione Fourie chasing historic Tuks women’s milestone in World Championships final
AIMING HIGH Marione Fourie is determined to honour her late coach Jaun Strydom by qualifying for the World Athletics Championships final, aiming to become the fourth Tuks women’s athlete to achieve this historic milestone. Picture: Reg Caldecott
Image: Reg Caldecott
Heavy weighs the responsibility on the shoulders of Marione Fourie, as she hopes to become just the fourth Tuks women’s athlete to qualify for the World Athletics Championships in September.
The biennial competition last witnessed a Tuks women’s athlete feature in a final in 2015 when Wenda Nel finished sixth in the 400m hurdles.
Before that, Caster Semenya (800m) and Surita Febbraio (400m hurdles) were the previous women’s athletes to achieve the feat. Febbraio ended eighth in 2003, while Semenya claimed gold in 2009 and silver two years later.
Now, Fourie will be running in the memory of her coach Jaun Strydom - who died suddenly in March.
Honouring coach Jaun Strydom: Fourie’s journey to the World Athletics Championships
“I haven’t come to terms with coach Jaun’s death yet. There is not a day I don’t think of him, but I told myself that when I’m on the track, it’s only athletics that matters,” said Fourie.
“I’m capable of qualifying for the final at the World Athletics Championships. But that means I have to work every day to be faster and stronger.”
The 23-year-old sprinter has already had a strong season with three wins and two third-place finishes.
In fact, her season best of 12.62 seconds in the Wanda Diamond League Xiamen she clocked in April sees the young athlete ranked in the top-12 in the world this year.
“The two third places proved to me that I don’t need to stress. I’m good enough to compete against the best.”
In the run-up to the World Champs, Fourie explained she would simply keep working hard every day towards the goal.
“The most important thing I learned from Jaun is that doing the little things right can make a big difference. And that hard work ultimately leads to success. As a coach, Jaun never allowed shortcuts. If something had to be done, it got done. I am still abiding by this.”