Featured: Anaso Jobodwana – Talent was a gift, but character was his choice

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.” ― Erma Bombeck

On this day in the hottest October in Johannesburg since the mind could imagine, we took time out to speak to Anaso Jobodwana, who is arguably the greatest sprinter to ever descend South Africa. 

When Anaso, 23 agreed to do this interview we at Grit Sports were truly honored and excited at the prospect because he completely fits into the definition of a celebrity in all aspects. He is not only famous but is also celebrated at large by South Africa and Africa for his supreme talent and achievements.

Well for those who do not know yet, in his own words: He is a man from the Eastern Cape who had a dream to run against the best and be the best. He is normal just like anyone else, doesn’t place himself above anybody , just a care-free, easy going , goofy person. 

In 2012 Anaso represented South Africa competing in the 200m at the 2012 Olympic Games gaining much needed experience at the international  level. He achieved a personal best of 20.13 seconds to reach the final. We asked him to sum up his experience of competing in such a huge event and he said “It was awesome, the crowd was amazing, which meant the atmosphere was electric and it was exciting to wear the green and gold while being given a shot to compete against the best in the world.” Anaso is clearly wears his heart on his sleeve.

“You realize how lucky you are to be in certain situations that lead you to travel the world doing what you love.” Anaso

In 2015 Anaso competed at the Beijing IAAF Championships obtaining a bronze and finishing with a time of 19.87 breaking the South African record set by Wayde Van Niekerk of 19.94 seconds a month earlier. We asked whether he ever dreamt that he would one day compete and excel over some of your childhood heroes of which he responded: “No, I  just loved running and back then all I did was to run because of how fun it was. I used to watch TV and try emulate the greats not having a thought about the future , just living in that moment. When I finally decided to focus my attention on training everything just progressed.”

Speaking of progression we asked him whether it would ever see him compete in the 400m in future: “NOOOOO hahahaha. I might do it for fun closer to retirement but me and my coach have no plans for running 400m.” Also having broken the 20 second mark over the 200m distance, we asked whether he had any ambitions in the 100m distance? He responded:, “Next year I’m aiming for more 100m races to help with my 200m.” We certainly will be on the lookout to see how he progresses.

On the role has your upbringing played in moulding him as an athlete and now the fastest man ever over 200m distance in South Africa Anaso told us: “I think it’s being brought up in an environment where you see a lot of talented people never getting the opportunity to take their talents further and  my parents sacrifice of sending me to a school where I had the opportunities to take my talents further that has helped me. You realize how lucky you are to be in certain situations that lead you to travel the world doing what you love. It has helped me be grateful for all that I have and I think being grateful is a powerful mindset.” 

We asked him what one moment can you pin point as being the highlight of your career? “I think qualifying for the Olympics in 2012. The journey to those games was something amazing. The ups and downs to get to that moment made me appreciate it and it helped my mindset and my career a lot.” After all is said and done in his career he told us: “I see myself having successful business while also being a successful physical therapist. I also see myself giving back to my community, to find the talent that I know Eastern Cape has and figuring out ways for that talent to get the same opportunities I got.”

Anaso presented a solution to how South Africa could take a page out of his book, “I think we need to give the schools in the rural areas more infrastructure. There is a lot of talent in those areas but those kids have it hard, Instead of worrying about their dreams , some of them are worrying about what meal they’re gonna have next or they don’t have access to a track or even a coach. This is where the government needs to step up but the Minister of Sport has already addressed that to the nation.” 

There are plenty of black children and aspiring sports women and men out there, he left this special message for them: “ Believe in your dreams even when no one else does. Let your dreams be big and crazy. Trust in yourself at all times, no matter how hard it gets , tell yourself you’re going to be a winner, you’re gonna be successful.”

On a lighter note, we asked with thousands and thousands of woman world-wide who will be asking themselves about your relationship status. Is Anaso taken or is he up for the taking? “Hahahahahahah. I am taken”

Phila Bitterhout