SA's Road to Rio: Clarence Munyai

The Pretoria-based Grade 11 learner at TuksSport High School is now well on his way towards realising his Olympic dream and the chance of potentially meeting one of his hero's, Usain Bolt.

With the likes of Wayde van Niekerk, Henricho Bruintjies, Simon Magakwe, Anaso Jobadwana and Akani Simbini all having stamped their mark on world and continental athletics, Munyai - alongside his good friend, rival and training partner Gift Leotela - is one of the flag bearers for a whole new generation of South African sprinters nipping at their heels.

Despite academic commitments and his quest to obtain a high school education, which is hard work in itself, Clarence continues to produce world-class performances on the track in this Olympic year and should find himself on the Team SA plane to Rio in less than six weeks.

Not bad for a youngster who actually had no initial interest in athletics. In fact it wasn't his favourite sport until 2013 after showing promise in both rugby and soccer.

Clarence is also a massive boxing fan and lists Floyd Mayweather Jr as his role model.

"The passion and love he had for his sport and still being undefeated for 20 years despite having everything he ever wanted is what fuels me. He had an unbelievable work ethic and that is what I am striving towards," says Clarence.

His family's roots are in Limpopo, after which they re-located to Johannesburg, where he lived with his working parents, a twin brother and three older sisters and went to school initially at Heronbridge Private School in Midrand.

"I was never good at athletics, just okay," he sheepishly told us. 

He recalls how he used to run at school and teachers kept telling him how good he is and should focus more on his running talent.

"I didn't believe them, but as time went on, man, I realised I can do it."

As his talent began to blossom, a passing mention by a friend that the TuksSport High School in Pretoria was a good place for young people interested in developing sporting talent, sparked his interest and he was successfully enrolled.

Not scared of hard work, short on a hunger for success or long, hard hours and big sacrifices, he fell under the wing of Tuks/HPC coach Hennie Kriel.

But it was his mother Vinolia who was always convinced her son had the makings of a great athlete. 

"At a young age already she told me that I should never stop running and not waste the talent I was blessed with," added Munyai

It was back then, he told us, he made a promise to himself that he would continue running to make her proud of him and the rest is history.

Today Clarence holds both the junior and senior 200 metre titles and can boast being the second youngest senior champion.

He moved a step closer to a place on the Team SA plane to Rio with an Olympic qualifying time of 20.39 at a schools meeting at the University of Johannesburg in March.

He then became only the third male sprinter 18 years or younger, to win a title at the South African Senior Championships in Stellenbosch, with a 20.74 in the 200 metres.

He posted another world-class performance at the South African Sub-Youth, Junior and Under-23 Championships in Germiston when he dipped below the Olympic qualifying standard in the 200 again. 

While his stronger focus appears to be on the 200, Munyai boasts a best of 10.28 over 100 metres and admits that he is striving to be equally competitive over both distances.

Although there isn't much down time between academic studies and training, Munyai likes to spend what limited free time he has playing Xbox.  

Taking him forward two years, Munyai says inspiring younger children to do what they do best, running with the greatest athletes out there and being a medal contender are on his radar.

And so the ambitious teenager, who recalled watching Usain Bolt at the 2012 London Olympics and thinking to himself "I might just be there in 2016," is on the brink of becoming an Olympian.

"I still don't believe it. I am living in a dream and just hope to never wake up," he concluded.

GET TO KNOW CLARENCE: 

Background 

I am from Johannesburg, I live with my two parents and my twin brother. I have 3 sisters who are all working and married. 

Sport

Athletics (sprints 100m & 200m)

Educational background

Grade 11 learner at the TuksSport High School

Years in sport of any kind

6 years in different sports

Sports participated in

Soccer, rugby, athletics and cricket.

Years in current sport

3

What got you started?

Passion I had for the sport.

Other personal information you would like to share

I have an identical twin.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your sports?

Being the second youngest ever S.A. junior and senior champion in the 200m.

Recipe for training success

Paying attention to the smallest of details while training. Focusing on mobility - because without mobility you can't gym without gym you can't run fast.

What would be your ultimate achievement?

Winning a medal at this year's IAAF World Junior Championships and later on at the Senior World Championships.

How do you set your goals?

By evaluating my previous season's achievements and looking at what I can do better to improve.

What is your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge is managing my time wisely. I organise things first before I do them. I write down what and when I want to do things.

What do you believe differentiates you from your contemporaries?

I always stay focused and don't get lost in the hype, I work even harder than I did before to stay on top and I stay dedicated.

What led to your breakthrough?

Setbacks from the previous season and being left behind even though I qualified more than any other athlete. I promised myself I would work hard so that they never leave me behind again.

What was the best advice you were ever given?

Always stay humble and never try to be bigger than the sport - I was told this by Kim Collins during my time in Manchester this year.

Motto

Hard work, dedication. 

Inspiration

Floyd Mayweather Jr, the passion and love he had for his sport and still being undefeated for 20 years.

Most Treasured Possession/s

My baby photos & a wrist band I got from my mother.

(Questions compiled with the assistance of Tuks/HPC)