Talented student athletes Nikithemba Hani, and Mondray Barnard from the IIE Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay campus, are thrilled to be representing South Africa at the prestigious Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) World University Games in Germany from July 16 to 27.
Hani (fourth year IIE Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching student) will compete in the Men’s Long Jump and Barnard in the Men’s 110m Hurdles.
Barnard (first year IIE Bachelor of Commerce student) has been a dominant force in hurdles, making significant strides in both South African and African tournaments. His triumph in his final during the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver in Poland last month garnered positive headlines and showcased his international competitive edge.
With a personal best time of 13.44 seconds, Barnard is optimistic about improving his performance, despite the challenging road ahead in his pursuit of Olympic qualification. He is currently ranked 27th in the world and the second fastest hurdler on the African continent.
Barnard said, “Wearing the green and gold comes with a deep sense of pride and responsibility, not just for me, but for everyone who’s supporting my journey. It is also a chance to be an ambassador for my country and for the IIE Varsity College. I am embracing every moment. Athletically, my goal is to perform at my absolute best, push my limits, and compete with focus and heart – I am going to go and run a massive personal best.
“Hopefully, I inspire others back home to pursue their dreams through sport. On a personal level, I am hoping to grow and gain new experiences that will shape me both on and off track. This is more than just a competition; it is a chance to evolve as an athlete and as a person.”
Hani has consistently proven his prowess at the national level. He achieved a remarkable long jump record of 8.01m in March this year at the Athletics South Africa Grand Prix 2 in the Senior Men’s Long Jump, a mark he aims to surpass in Germany.
He said, “Representing South Africa and the IIE Varsity College globally is a huge honour and a significant responsibility. My goal is to perform at my best. These experiences are equally about growth, learning from top athletes and applying those lessons both on and off the track. I hope to return more motivated and use this experience to inspire others.”
Paul Manson (Campus Head IIE Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay) said, “We are always proud of our students when they get chosen to represent our country. It shows huge dedication to be chosen at the highest level. Mondray and Nikithemba have surpassed our expectations as they have consistently produced excellent results. Not only are they performing in athletics, but they are also shining in their academics and managing to balance their goals with the assistance from all at the IIE Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay campus. We wish them luck in Germany as they compete against the top students from around the world and we look forward to following their progress.”
