Caroline Wostmann made history this year when she became only the fourth athlete ever to win South Africa’s two most famous ultra-marathons – the Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades Marathon – in the same year.
Wostmann became the first South African woman to win the Two Oceans since 2001, and the first South African woman to win the Comrades since 1992. Wostmann is reaching for new heights after her historic double, and is working hard to defend her titles in 2016.
Wostmann is shortlisted for SPAR gsport Athlete of the Year along with the rowing pair of Naydene Smith and Lee-Ann Persse, and top Rhythmic Gymnast, Grace Legote.
gsport spoke to Wostmann about her nomination and how her achievements this year have impacted her career.
How does it feel to be nominated for a gsport Award?
I feel honoured to be nominated. I have always had such admiration for the women who are nominated for this event each year I feel privileged to be included.
How would you rate your year from 1 to 10?
This year was a 10 for me. I couldn’t have asked for more. Winning both Two Oceans and Comrades still seems surreal, and whilst Comrades is the victory I treasure the most, the fact that my Two Oceans victory came as such a surprise makes it the highlight of my year.
What goals have you set for yourself after your historic double win this year?
I would like to improve my marathon time towards the end of this year, and hopefully defend my titles next year.
What is your advice to aspiring sportswomen?
Be patient and consistent in your training. Sometimes it feels as though there is very little reward for the huge effort you are putting into your training, but if you are willing to work hard and make the necessary sacrifices, the rewards will come.
Who inspires you to achieve more?
I am blessed to have so many people who inspire me. My husband and children inspire me through their belief in my abilities and the support they give me.
Numerous other female athletes such as Rene Kalmer, Charne Bosman and Irvette van Zyl inspire me through their strong performances, dedication in training and commitment to SA running.
And then the many ordinary people I meet every day who are doing extraordinary things, making sacrifices to better themselves and the lives of others.
What do you love most about the gsport Awards?
In sport women are often overlooked because we can never be physically as fast or as strong as our male counterparts, despite working just as hard. It is so wonderful to have platforms such as gsport to acknowledge women’s achievements in sport and allow women to shine.
How can we raise the profile of women’s sport in SA?
Whilst so much is being done already to equalise women in sport, there are still notable differences.
This year at the Comrades pre-race press conference, I was disappointed at the lack of women in the elite teams. Nedbank was the only sponsor who presented an elite female team at that press conference.
I considered the possible reasons for this, and realised that due to the TV coverage of the race traditionally focusing mainly on the front male runners, this would incentivise corporates to sponsor male athletes who provide more coverage for their brand.
I have heard that there was significantly more of the female race broadcast this year, and I hope that this will contribute to more sponsorship for females athletes in the future.
Whilst corporates should contribute equally to both men and women I think that the media can play a huge role in making female sponsorship worthwhile by promoting and broadcasting female sport more.
The more publicity female sport gets from the media, the more the opportunities that will arise for female athletes.
Photo 1 caption: Caroline Wostmann made history when she won SA’s two most famous ultra-marathons – the Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades Marathon – in the same year. Photo: Reg Caldecott
Photo 2 caption: On winning the Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades Marathon, Wostmann said: “This year was a 10 for me. I couldn’t have asked for more.” Photo: Reg Caldecott
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
