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A 17-year-old female South African is giving lightning a run for its money.

Viwe Jingqi, a TuksSport High School student recently set a new South African Youth record over 200 meters, which she won in 23.03s. At her tender age, Viwe is crowned as the fastest under-18 female athlete over 1oom and 200m sprinter as The University of Pretoria proudly announces.

More interestingly, Viwe broke the record previously set by Evette de Klerk (23.30s) exactly 40 years after it was set.

Viwe’s smashing record was set during the South African Junior and Youth Athletics Championships in Potchefstroom this past weekend.

Bent on breaking records, her 11.22s time last week Thursday offers another new SA junior 100-metre record for under-20.

The renowned South African athletics statistician Danie Cornelius backs Viwe proudly and is confident in her abilities to bolt under just 23 seconds in the 200 meters this season.

“The one thing that can’t be coached is big match temperament. Jingqi has got it. She proved it last year during the World Junior Championships in Nairobi when she finished third in the 200 metres semifinals being only 16,” Danie expressed.

“I sort of felt sorry for her when she lined up to compete. She looked so small and vulnerable compared to the international athletes. But the moment the starter’s pistol was fired, she became a ‘giant’. She was not intimidated. All that mattered to her was to be fast,” he proudly recalled.

WATCH:Viwe bolts to success

Of her physical traits and ability, Danie further added:

“During the national championships in Potch, it was the same. Jingqi still has no physical traits distinguishing her from any other athlete. Only when she races will people realise that she is the real deal.

“Yesterday (Saturday 2 April), the conditions were far from perfect. It rained most of the morning. The track was heavy and slow, but it did not faze Jingqi. She ran brilliantly. She was ahead, coming out of the curve and then got even faster. I have no doubt that on a warm day and a dry track that she will come close to running 22.60s.” According to Tuks 

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Picture: University of Pretoria

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