From School Tracks to the World Stage: Eight Curro Athletes Earn U20 Selection

Photo Credit: Curro -Left to right - Siyabonga Mbeleki, Mukona Manavhela and Tiisetso Malungane (Curro Hazeldean)

Current learners and alumni are heading to the World Athletics U20 Championships after impressive performances on the national stage.

South Africa (03 August 2026)- Eight current Curro learners and alumni are preparing to take their talents to the international stage after earning selection to represent South Africa at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships.

The championships will take place in Eugene, Oregon, from 5 to 9 August, bringing together some of the world’s most promising young athletes.

Having eight athletes from across its schools and alumni community selected for the national team is a proud milestone and a reflection of the talent being developed through its athletics programme.

“We are incredibly proud of every athlete who has earned national selection. Their success reflects not only their own determination and hard work, but also the dedication of their coaches, support staff and families who have played such an important role in their journeys,” said Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager.

Among the current learners heading to Oregon is Curro Hazeldean’s Tiisetso Malungane, who will compete in the 1 500m. The rising middle-distance athlete enjoyed an impressive season, winning both U18 middle-distance titles at the ASA Age Group Championships and producing a South African age-best performance in the mile at the Curro Street Mile on Youth Day.

Fellow Curro Hazeldean athlete Mukona Manavhela has been selected for the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. His strong season included U20 gold in the 200m and silver in the 100m at the ASA Age Group Championships.

Meridian Pinehurst’s Michaela Spocter will represent South Africa in the high jump. She currently leads the South African and African U20 rankings with a personal best clearance of 1.81m and is ranked among the world’s top junior high jumpers.

Curro Hillcrest’s Sarah Reed has been selected for the 200m and the 4x100m relay after an outstanding season. The Grade 11 learner won both the 100m and 200m titles at the SA Schools Championships and was named Top Performing Athlete at the KwaZulu-Natal Sports Awards.

Siyabonga Mbeleki, also from Curro Hazeldean, will compete in the 3 000m steeplechase after a season that included a bronze medal at the ASA National Championships.

Curro’s representation also extends beyond its current learners, with three Curro Hazeldean alumni earning national selection. Matodzi Ndou will compete in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay, Lesibe Dikgale has been selected for the 400m hurdles, while Zattu Hlongwane will line up in the 4x100m relay.

The school will also have a connection to the Botswana U20 team through Jack Newman, who has been selected to compete in both the 100m and 200m.

“To have so many current learners and alumni selected to compete on the world stage is an exceptional achievement and a testament to the culture of excellence that exists across Curro’s athletics programme.”