Viwe Jingqi.
Viwe Jingqi. Photo: Carte Blanche

Home » WATCH South African Schoolgirl is World’s Fastest Under 18 Female Over 100m and 200m: Meet Viwe Jingqi

WATCH South African Schoolgirl is World’s Fastest Under 18 Female Over 100m and 200m: Meet Viwe Jingqi

A 17-year-old South African schoolgirl has sprinted into the record books, becoming the world’s fastest under-18 female over 100m and 200m, according to the University of Pretoria. Her name is Viwe Jingqi, and soon she’ll be a household name. UPDATE: DON’T MISS CARTE BLANCHE’s focus on Viwe on Sunday 8 May 2022 on DStv Now […]

By SAPeople
08-05-22 18:19
in Fab South African Stuff
Viwe Jingqi.
Viwe Jingqi. Photo: Carte Blanche

A 17-year-old South African schoolgirl has sprinted into the record books, becoming the world’s fastest under-18 female over 100m and 200m, according to the University of Pretoria. Her name is Viwe Jingqi, and soon she’ll be a household name. UPDATE: DON’T MISS CARTE BLANCHE’s focus on Viwe on Sunday 8 May 2022 on DStv Now in SA and stream it overseas on Showmax International from Tuesday 10 May.

Competing in the South African Junior and Youth Athletics Championships in Potchefstroom in April, the TuksSport High School learner set a South African Youth record on Thursday (over 100m) and Saturday (over 200m).

A video of Viwe, who belongs to the Tuks Athletics Academy, has gone viral showing her flying ahead on Thursday to win the 100 metres U-18 National Title in 11.22 seconds. She actually broke the U-18 record three times on Thursday… AND also broke the U-20 record. (One sports fan admitted, after watching the video: “(I’ve) watched this like 50 times already… pure talent ????????”)

WATCH Viwe Jinqoi’s remarkable 100m sprint

Jingqi had broken the national record for the first time in February during the Super Schools Meeting in Ruimsig, when she ran 11.47 seconds… which was the fastest time by a South African U-18 athlete in 38 years and four months!

On Thursday the Athletics Gauteng North runner told journalists: “My positive mindset has been the only thing that has been keeping me going from the heats up to the finals.”

On Saturday Viwe followed up with an amazing gold medal win – 23.03 seconds – in the 200m, breaking a 40-year-old Junior U-18 record on the exact same day it was set by Evette de Klerk in 1982 (2 April).

Viwe Jingqi fastest south african runner U-18
Viwe Jingqi. Photo: University of Pretoria

WATCH CARTE BLANCHE UPDATE: Viwe’s dad talks about the first time he saw his gifted daughter running fast, barefoot…

According to the University of Pretoria, only two SA senior female sprinters have run faster times since 2012 in both the 100m and 200m. (De Klerk herself ran it faster once she was a senior, but that was long before 2012!)

Kenya’s top coach praised Jingqi’s coach – former SA sprinter Paul Gorries (and Olympic gold medallist in 2000)- on Twitter. Viwe told TuksSport High School: “My coach [Paula Gorries] is the one who got me to believe in my abilities…Still, when I broke the record, I could not believe it. It is an amazing feeling to know that I am a record holder.”

Athletics statistician Danie Cornelius pointed out to Pretoria University that Jingqi also has “the one thing that can’t be coached” – big match temperament. “Jingqi has got it,” said Cornelius.

Grigora Athletics said: “In arguably the greatest series of performance ever at South African Age Group Championships, the TuksSport High School learner, Viwe Jinqoi crowned it by breaking Evette de Klerk’s 40 year old U18 200m national record with a time of 23.03 sec. In six races, during three days, she bettered South African records four times.”

Tuks Sports director, coach Steven Ball, tweeted: “Something truly special. Well done to our @TuksSport High school scholar on the #TuksAthletics Academy athlete Viwe, supported by the #AthleticsFoundationTrust on this truly special performance!”

He also thanked SuperSport Schools for capturing the remarkable moment.

SuperSport Schools rejoiced after Thursday’s performance saying: “New month, new records ? Viwe Jingqi is the fastest U18 100m sprinter in the WORLD at the moment!… A new SA record ??#TimetoShine”

According to IOL, Jinggi – who hails from eNgcobo in the Eastern Cape – now has her sights set on the SA senior championships in a couple of weeks time. Last year she already represented SA at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi.

But while she may be far from home and reaching for the stars, her heart remains with her family. After winning the Athlete of the Meet Title, Jingqi told reporters: “I’m dedicating this to my late brother. He is the one who is looking over me now. My parents are very supportive. Even today they told me that they are gonna makes sure that they watch me on YouTube because they couldn’t come here, they are in the Eastern Cape and it’s very far…”

WATCH Viwe Jinqoi breaks 40 YEAR OLD SA RECORD 23.03sec – Girls U18 200m Final National Championships

Tags: University of Pretoria Viwe Jingqi