Bayanda WalazaThe Year 12 student at Curro Hazeldene School in Pretoria has captured the world's attention as the fastest teenager on the planet.
Since joining Curro on scholarship, Bayanda has worked hard both academically and athletically, achieving unprecedented success and setting himself up for future success.
A young man's journey to the top of sprinting shows the transformative power of education and perseverance. Despite his incredible speed on the track, Bayanda remains grounded and dedicated to his studies, receiving academic support without compromising his training regimen.
At just 18 years old, Bayanda has shattered records and expectations with his extraordinary performances. His recent win at the South African Junior Championships saw him win both the U20 100m and 200m titles, cementing his place as the world's fastest teenager. Bayanda's superiority is undeniable as he clocked an impressive time of 10.13 seconds for the 100m and 20.34 seconds for the 200m.
Under the expert guidance of the school's Coach T, Bayanda made impressive progress, shaving nearly half a second off her previous personal best time. Coach T, also known as Thabo Mathebedi, has an impressive track record of coaching eight African champions and continues to attract aspiring athletes from across the country seeking his guidance and coaching expertise.
Bayanda has his sights set on the World U20 Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru later this year, but his school is proud of his pursuit of excellence.
“Despite the challenges of balancing academics and athletics, Bayanda's determination and focus have propelled him to the forefront of the sport. We could not be more proud of his accomplishments on and off the track. ” said Pierre Le Roux, Director General. Curro Hazeldean.
As Bayanda reflects on his journey, he remains steadfast in his ambitions for the future. He will be attending Los Angeles 2028. He has big dreams of competing in the Olympic Games and at the University of Pretoria or Tshwane University of Technology he has big dreams of completing his BCom degree in Logistics. Ready to continue rising.
“I will forever be grateful for the opportunities I have been given. Having the support of the Curro Scholarship has been instrumental in my academic and sporting journey. Representing South Africa on the world stage I'm very excited to be a part of the team and make my mark in Peru,” said Bayanda.
As Bayanda prepares to depart on her first overseas trip to Peru, she carries with her the hopes and dreams of a nation. He is aiming to win and medal in both the 100m and 200m events and is ready to show his talent to the world.
Watch this space.