They shared their ambitions with Sowetolife Mag Online, during a visit.
The two young athletes whose speciality is on the 200m, made their names for themselves during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after they finished third and fourth respectively.
The two boys are ambitious and the future looks bright in their career as athletes, and thanks to BestMed.
Although Munyai and Leotlela grew up in a separate background, they have a number of things in common of which one of that is that their dream to become athletes’ started when they were still at tender age at primary school level.
“I have been running all my life for as long as I remember, and a number of medals back at Senthiel Primary School’s cabinet which I represented in many school competitions speak volume for my achievement,” explains the shy yet talkative Leotlela, who said he has been in athletics from the age of ten.
Added Munyai: “As for me I grew up in an environment of football back in my village, but that did not tamper with my dream to become an athlete despite the fact that most of my friends were playing football.”
Just like Leotlela, Munyai has also contributed a lot in terms of winning titles for his school Heron Bride (a combined primary and high school based in Midrand, Johannesburg) at both local and national level.
Born in QwaQwa, Free State, the 18 year-old Leotlela who is a matriculant at the TuksSports School told SLM that: “age is still on my side, and I am looking forward to take that advantage and that one of BestMed’s sponsorship and build my future as one of the best athlete this country has ever produced.”
Munyai who is also 18 years and was born in Makhado (formerly Louis Trichardt), Limpopo shared the same sentiments:”It is true, we are still young and the future looks bright for us and we need to do everything in our power to produce our best at competitive level so as to reward both BestMed and Tuks Athletic Club for giving us an opportunity.”
Munyai said participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics was the biggest achievement of his life, and obviously the beginning of many more competitions at international level.
“I must admit that I was a little bit scared ahead of the race in Rio, more so because I was to run in front of such a multitude of fans for the first time and secondly; competing with world’s well known athletes such as Adam Gemili and Nickel who are from Great Britain and Jamaica respectively, was also a great threat at its own,” said Munyai, who completed his matric certificate at the Tuks Sports School, and now a first year Sports Management student at University of Pretoria.
With the Rio 2016 out of the way, both Munyai and Leotlela’s focus now is on London World Championships to be held in August this year.
“The road to London is not going to be an easy one though as we still have to go through qualification races, but we are up to the challenge,” said the confident Leotlela.
Added Munyai: “There are a number of competitions which we have to make use of, to qualify for the London World Championships and with the helping hand of BestMed and the quality of training we get here at Tuks, nothing will stop us from achieving that dream.”
Our biggest dream though, continued Munyai, is the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and hopefully by that time we would have fully matured and competed in a number of international competitions which would be enough to help us progress.
Chris Luyt, Bestmed Marketing Executive Manager heaped praise on the athletes and commented:”We are proud to have been part of Munyai and Leotlela’s outstanding journey.
Their hard work and dedication is evident in their success. We wish them continued success and trust that they will attain greater heights in their careers.”
Tuks Sports Marketing Manager, Mmane Boikanyo is confident that both Munyai and Leotlela will achieve their dream if their current commitment is anything to go by.
“We are so lucky to have a sponsor of BestMed’s calibre and their commitment to this institution means a lot.
Having said that, I can guarantee that nothing will stop Munyai and Leotlela in qualifying for London World Championships with their main goal being the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” added the confident and energetic Boikanyo.
