Belhar's Youth Olympics star hungry for more gold

Luke Davids of South Africa wins the men’s 100m and the gold medal on the fifth day of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. Roger Sedres CanonSA African News Agency (ANA)

Luke Davids of South Africa wins the men’s 100m and the gold medal on the fifth day of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. Roger Sedres CanonSA African News Agency (ANA)

Published Oct 17, 2018

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Belhar sprinting sensation Luke Davids says he is hungry for more after claiming gold and becoming the first South African male athlete to win the 100m title at the Youth Olympics being held in Buenos Aires.

Davids beat Nigeria’s Alaba Olukunle Akintola, who claimed silver with a time of 10.24, and Japan’s Seiryo Ikeda (10.30), taking bronze.

The Grade 10 pupil from Parow High clocked 10.15 seconds, but would not count it as the actual time because of winds which cost him the all-time under-18 record, which was set last year by US athlete, Anthony Schwartz.

Davids said that at the age of seven, one of the teachers saw how quick he was at rugby and bribed him, with a KFC Streetwise 2, to take part in athletics, which he accepted.

“My preparation for the race went perfectly. I was in shape to win because my coach Nathan van Wyk and I put in the work. When I got into the blocks I was nervous and confident, but mostly confident because my heat went well so I knew I could win,” he said.

“Next season will be a chill season. No big competitions so I’ll take it easy, but in 2020 my coach and I will hammer it in training again for the Under-20 world champs.

“My mother’s support means the world to me. She doesn’t say much because she can’t express how proud she is of me, but I know without a doubt she is proud of me, and I love her for that.”

Davids said the entire South African team was doing well, especially the athletes, who he thinks were happier than he was for his achievements.

His mother, Celeste Davids, said: “About two years ago, he came to a crossroads, having to choose between athletics and rugby, and I left the decision up to him. 

"What Luke has is a gift, not a talent, and I remind him that it is God-given and he should not lose sight of that and himself, no matter the success.”

Celeste said her son had overcome many obstacles, and she applauded both the University of the Western Cape Athletics Club and his coach, who had a become an important figure for her son.

Coach Van Wyk said Davids has the potential to go far because he has the work ethic and the focus now to achieve much more in the field of athletics.

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