Joné Kruger (19), a pharmacy student from the North West University (NWU) is the new African Heptathlon champion. She won the title at the recent Junior African Games in Tlemcen, Algeria.The Junior African Games are held every two years for African athletes under the age of 20.

Joné, a first-year student on the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom, says the heptathlon consists of seven events: 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin and 800m.“It was my first time competing outside South Africa, so this is a big milestone in my career, especially coming home with a gold medal,” says Joné.

She adds that injuries over the past three years had prevented her from competing at an exceptional standard, so winning at the African Games has given her a confidence boost and she is excited to start training again.Before the season starts, she trains six days a week, sometimes even twice a day, because she has to prepare for seven events. “In season, the training settles down a bit to five days a week, depending on when I compete.”

The Potchefstroom-born athlete started playing tennis at the tender age of four, and moved to athletics at the age of seven.  She has since won a number of titles.

Joné is already working towards her next goal: qualifying for the Commonwealth Games taking place in Australia next April. One of her other long-term goals is to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2020.

Joné Kruger