As the 2026 Toyota SASAPD National Championships approach, athletes across South Africa are entering a critical phase of their season — and for Liezel Gouws, the focus is clear heading into a demanding weekend of competition.

Gouws will take on a full programme at Nationals, competing in the long jump as well as the 100m and 200m events, requiring both speed and technical precision across disciplines.

“I’m really excited heading into Nationals this weekend. I’ll be competing in the long jump as well as the 100m and 200m, so it’s a full programme for me,” she said.

With more than just national titles at stake, the championships carry added importance in the broader competitive calendar.

“This is also the last opportunity to improve my Commonwealth rankings, so there’s definitely extra motivation to perform and make it count.”

Preparation leading into the championships has been focused and structured, with a strong emphasis on balancing the demands of sprinting and long jump.

“Preparation has gone really well. We’ve had a strong training block focusing on speed, power, and execution, especially balancing the sprint events with long jump. I’m feeling physically strong and mentally ready, which is exactly where I want to be going into such an important competition.”

For Gouws, the goal is not only to compete, but to deliver across all events and make the most of the opportunity presented at Nationals.

“The goal is to put together quality performances across all three events and, if everything comes together on the day, to improve my marks and secure my place.”

From an athlete’s perspective, the SASAPD National Championships represent more than just a competition — they are a key moment to test preparation, chase rankings and take the next step on the high-performance pathway.