Bayanda Walaza Balances Academics and Athletics, Commits to University of Pretoria

Bayanda Walaza, the remarkable double under-20 world champion from South Africa, has pledged his dedication to his coach, Thabo “Coach T” Matebedi, as he embarks on a new journey at the University of Pretoria. 

Fresh from his impressive performance in Lima, where he clinched gold medals in both the 100m and 200m events, Walaza returned to South Africa on September 3, setting his sights on his academic goals and the impending matric prelim exams.

Despite his rapid ascent in the athletics world, which also includes a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics, the 18-year-old has decided to remain with Matebedi, rejecting several enticing offers from U.S. universities. 

Walaza expressed his confidence in his coach, stating, “Changing coaches could lead to complications. I’ve achieved so much with him already, so why would I want to leave?”

Currently studying at Curro Hazeldean in Pretoria, Walaza is managing his studies alongside his athletic commitments, with geography as his first subject in the prelim exams. 

He has also expressed his intention to pursue a degree in logistics at the University of Pretoria, allowing him to stay rooted in his home country while furthering his athletic career.

Discussing his running style, which has garnered both praise and criticism, Walaza noted that his unique approach has been effective for him. 

“As long as it works for me, I’ll stick with it,” he said. He emphasized the importance of refining his technique rather than overhauling it, crediting his successful start in races to the hard work he and his coach have put in over the past year. 

“We finally got it right at the perfect moment, and I believe that’s what helped me win,” he added, reflecting on his performance in Paris.