By: Nicholy Mokoena
A historic milestone has been achieved for the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) as ICT student and standout athlete Mbuyelo Rikhotso secured the institution’s first-ever medal at a USSA Athletics Championships competition.
Rikhotso was part of the UMP Athletics Track and Field team that competed in Cape Town at the championships hosted by
the University of the Western Cape from 23 to 25 April 2026. This prestigious national varsity event brings together South Africa’s top university athletes in a fiercely competitive environment that showcases the country’s best emerging sporting talent.
Competing against elite opposition from long-established athletics powerhouses such as UWC, the University of Pretoria (UP Tuks) and the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Rikhotso delivered a remarkable performance in the men’s 110m hurdles. He clocked 15.04 seconds into a headwind to claim the landmark medal, a performance that highlighted his determination, resilience and competitive grit on the national stage.
He crowned an outstanding season by becoming the national champion in the men’s 110m hurdles, firmly establishing himself as one of South Africa’s leading student athletes and a trailblazer for UMP sport. Rikhotso also narrowly missed qualifying for the men’s 100m final after finishing third in his heat with a time of 10.95 seconds, further demonstrating his sprinting ability and versatility on the track.
Beyond his university success, Rikhotso has consistently proven his ability at both provincial and national levels. Earlier this year, he represented Mpumalanga at the ASA Age Group Track and Field Championships, competing in the Under-23 division against seasoned senior athletes. This exposure to high-performance competition further sharpened his competitive edge and contributed significantly to his success at USSA and his national title.
His dominance was also evident at the Athletics Mpumalanga Track and Field Championships held in Secunda on 7 March 2026, where he claimed gold in the Men’s Senior 100m with a time of 11.95 seconds and in the Men’s 110m hurdles with a time of 15.67 seconds. These performances underscored his consistency, versatility and growing reputation as one of Mpumalanga’s finest track athletes.
Rikhotso’s achievements mark a defining moment for UMP Athletics and the university’s sporting history. His medal at the USSA Championships represents not only personal excellence but also signals the rising standard and potential of sport at the University of Mpumalanga.
As the university continues to build its sporting profile nationally, Mbuyelo Rikhotso stands as a symbol of dedication, discipline and determination, inspiring fellow students and future athletes to aim higher on both academic and sporting fronts.