SUPPORTING ATHLETES

Jovan van Vuuren, an emerging star in the realm of long jump, commenced his extraordinary athletic journey when he joined the JUMPSdt group at the end of 2017. Guided by the expertise of Coach Neil, Jovan's unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence have propelled him to new heights. After dedicating most of 2018 to conditioning, strengthening, and developing new skills, Jovan's remarkable talent became evident in 2019 as he soared to a distance of 8.10m at the South African Student Championships, solidifying his position as Coach Neil's third 8-meter jumper. This outstanding achievement not only established Jovan as a top long jumper in South Africa but also earned him a well-deserved place in the World Student Championships. Despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Jovan's resilience and resourcefulness allowed him to maintain the core of his training regimen. In the absence of access to a track, gym, or even a street for training, Jovan made do with the limited space at home. As lockdown restrictions in South Africa eased, allowing outdoor exercise between 06h00 and 09h00, Jovan, living within 5km of Coach Neil, could train at Neil's house. Every morning at 06h00, they met in a quiet street for their training session. As restrictions eased further, they could drive to a park with more space and grass, a welcome change from the hard tarmac. At the end of 2020, the club finally reopened, providing access to an athletics track and a long jump pit for the first time since March. Despite setbacks the previous year, Jovan made his mark on the senior level in 2021. Opening his season with a 7.97m jump, his second-best distance ever, signaled that something special lay ahead. He concluded the season with four competitions over 8m (wind-aided 8.07m and wind-legal 8.03m), securing the silver medal at the prestigious South African Senior Championships with a distance of 8.02m. In 2022, Jovan's ascent continued as he asserted his dominance, showcasing his prowess through a series of exceptional leaps, culminating in an undefeated local season. At the Gauteng North Provincial Champs in March, he achieved an incredible distance of 8.16m, setting a world lead. This established him as South Africa's 6th best long jumper of all time and further solidified his reputation as a rising star in the field of long jump. In April, during the South African National Championships, Jovan stunned the crowd by winning his first national gold medal. After opening with a jump of 7.98m, he trailed in 2nd place until the last few minutes of the competition. In the last round, still trailing by 3cm, with only him and the athlete in first place remaining, Jovan leaped to a remarkable distance of 8.04m, winning the competition by 2cm. Jovan's remarkable talent also shone on the international stage at the Commonwealth Games, where he delivered an impressive performance, achieving a distance of 8.06m and securing a bronze medal. With each leap, Jovan van Vuuren not only showcases his immense potential but also contributes to the ever-growing success of the renowned JUMPSdt program. His dedication, remarkable performances, and continuous improvements make him a formidable force in the international long jump arena, and his journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide.

Asande Mthembu's journey with JUMPSdt began in 2019 as a talented high jumper at the age of 15. However, it was in the triple jump that he quickly displayed his remarkable potential. In his very first season as a triple jumper, Mthembu achieved an impressive feat by winning the South African Secondary School Championships with a jump of 14.00m by the end of March. As the year progressed, Mthembu began to showcase his abilities in the long jump, securing the 4th best distance in South African history for his age with a jump of 7.08m. The year 2020 proved to be uneventful due to the COVID-19 outbreak, limiting Mthembu's opportunities for competitions. Despite the challenges and minimal training, Mthembu still managed to achieve a jump of 7.17m by the end of the year. In 2021, Mthembu participated in the South African Youth Championships, where he won the long jump event with a distance of 7.06m and finished 2nd in the triple jump with 14.50m. Although these distances may not have fully showcased his talent, Mthembu concluded the season with personal bests of 7.26m in the long jump and 14.92m in the triple jump. After a brief break following his competitions in June, Mthembu dedicated himself to the off-season with great determination. The result of his exceptional efforts became evident as he started to fulfill his true potential. By the end of the year, Mthembu achieved remarkable consistency, with four competitions surpassing 7.60m in the long jump. Among his notable accomplishments were a wind-aided personal best of 7.69m and a wind-legal distance of 7.63m. These achievements made him the only youth long jumper in South African history to achieve four consecutive competitions over 7.60m, solidifying his position among the top 10 all-time best youth long jumpers. In the 2nd competition of 2023, Asande once again demonstrated the potential he exhibited in the previous year by jumping a personal best and setting the world junior lead at 7.88m. During the South African Junior Championships, Asande captivated everyone by becoming the 3rd best Junior South African long jumper and the 4th 8m jumper from JUMPSdt, securing victory with a remarkable distance of 8.08m. What made his result even more impressive was the adversity he faced when his spikes tore through on his 2nd attempt. Despite borrowing someone else’s spikes for three attempts, he had little success in his jumps. However, in the sixth round, while lying in 5th place, Asande made a remarkable decision to tape together his old torn spikes for his last attempt. Miraculously, he executed the winning jump. In May, Asande earned his first international medal by securing second place at the African Junior Championships with a distance of 7.78m. With his consistent performances throughout the year, Asande also qualified for the World Student Games in July. Asande Mthembu's remarkable journey highlights his rapid improvement and increasing potential in both the triple jump and long jump. His unwavering dedication, hard work, and impressive performances throughout the seasons have established him as a standout athlete within JUMPSdt. Asande's inspiring story serves as a testament to his determination, inspiring others and solidifying his place among South Africa's top youth long jumpers.

Zinzi Xulu made her entry into the world of athletics, initially finding her stride in sprinting. However, the trajectory of her journey took a transformative turn at the age of 14 in 2011 when she ventured into the captivating discipline of triple jump. In her inaugural competition in the triple jump, Zinzi's innate talent shone brightly as she leaped an impressive 11.27m, immediately solidifying her reputation as an athlete with talents surpassing her age. The following year, at 15, she triumphed at the national youth championships with a commendable jump of 11.74m. This victory not only secured her standing at the national level but also paved the way for success in the Southern Region, where she clinched the gold medal. The year 2013 marked Zinzi's ascent onto the global stage as, at the age of 16, she not only secured another national youth championships title with a jump of 11.97m but also qualified for the World Youth Championships. However, an unfortunate injury during the world youth champs, resulting from spiking herself, led to stitches on her ankles. Undeterred by setbacks, Zinzi's journey continued at 18, where she soared to new heights by breaking the junior record with an impressive jump of 13.12m. This accomplishment earned her a coveted spot at the World Junior Championship, where she exhibited her prowess with a qualifying jump of 12.84m. The following year, 2015, marked her final year as a junior, highlighted by breaking the SA junior record twice—first with 13.14m at the South African Senior Championships and then with an outstanding 13.18m at the South African Student Championships. The year concluded with a 5th place finish at the All African Games. In 2016, Zinzi achieved a personal best with a breathtaking jump of 13.60m early in the year. However, her season was cut short after securing a silver medal at the SA Senior Champs due to an unfortunate injury. The year 2018 saw Zinzi achieving milestones beyond the South African borders, earning her first major medal outside her homeland with a spectacular jump of 13.59m at the African Senior Championships. Simultaneously, she qualified for the Continental Cup, proudly representing Africa on the global stage. Undeterred by challenges, Zinzi's tenacity persisted into 2019, where she secured a commendable 5th place at the World Student Games. Further solidifying her continental prowess, she clinched another major medal, finishing 3rd at the All African Games with a remarkable jump of 13.59m. In the annals of South African athletics, the year 2020 etched Zinzi's name in history as she soared to unprecedented heights. In her inaugural competition of the year, she leaped to a staggering 14.03m, breaking the South African record and etching her as the first South African woman to surpass the 14m mark. The elation of this triumph, however, was tempered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, disrupting her peak season. Despite grappling with injuries, Zinzi exhibited resilience, marking 2021 with a noteworthy jump of 13.63m. The pinnacle of the year unfolded at the South African Senior Championships, where she secured a gold medal with an impressive distance of 13.34m. In a poignant turn of events in 2023, Zinzi Xulu made a strategic decision to join forces with Coach Neil. In an astonishing testament to her commitment and the transformative impact of their collaboration, she swiftly recaptured her 13m form in less than four weeks of training. This remarkable resurgence culminated in the triumphant reclaiming of her national championship gold medal, with an inspiring jump of 13.21m. Zinzi Xulu's athletic odyssey is not just a testament to her physical prowess but also to her indomitable spirit, resilience, and unwavering pursuit of excellence. Her journey continues to inspire aspiring athletes and leaves an indelible mark on the legacy of South African athletics.