South Africa teenage sprint sensation Jingqi hailed as a future Olympian

Jingqi recently delivered record-breaking results on the third and final day of the ASA National U16, U18 and U20 Track And Field Championships at NWU McArthur Athletics Stadium in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

Jingqi, who shattered the SA U18 (youth) record three times on Thursday with her best being 11.22, scorched home in 23.03 (Record is subject to standard ratification procedures) in the U20 (junior) 200m final on Saturday to break one of the longest standing records in the sport.

The 17 year-old athlete ripped 0.27 off the national youth mark of 23.30 which had been set by Evette de Klerk in Tshwane in April 1982.

Her time of 11.22 seconds to clinch gold in the final was not only an Under-18 record, but also a new SA Under-20 mark, eclipsing Marcel Winkler’s 11.25, set in 1989.

Jingqi could soon go up against against national record-holder Carina Horn

She is now said to have set her sights on the senior championships at the Green Point Athletics Stadium in Cape Town, which will take place from April 21-23.

There is great excitement around this young talent, who has been touted as a future Olympian and described by some as a budding “Usain Bolt”.

“They say I am not a human, but a machine, and I think it is true. I broke three records wearing new spikes, and I knew I could run faster times,” Jingqi said in a Athletics South Africa press release.

“I am consistent and know what I want to do on the track. I kept my concentration throughout the day and never lost focus, and was rewarded with the national title in the 100m.

“My parents are supportive and watched on YouTube. I dedicated the record to my late brother Vukile, who died last year in January.