Oluchi Abelwe Ndubueze talks about her career as a series of moments that taught her something. Ask the young South African sprint-jumper about her 2026 season so far, and she will not lead with the gold medal she won in the long jump at the ASA Age Group Championships.
“I’m extremely happy with both of my performances and very grateful for the results I achieved at the ASA Age Group Championships. The moment I’m most proud of, however, was earning silver in the 100m.”
At the halfway mark of that race, Ndubueze was sitting fourth. She finished second, four hundredths of a second outside her personal best.
“After one of the most challenging seasons of my career so far, that race became a real reflection of the hard work, resilience, and determination I’ve built throughout the year and to my fighting spirit.”
School Sports Star, Oluchi Ndubueze
“That experience reminded me that no matter how difficult the circumstances may seem, it’s important to keep fighting until the finish, while remaining humble, graceful, and resilient throughout the journey.”
It is a refrain that runs through her account of her career. Last year, Ndubueze represented South Africa at three athletics competitions, and at the CAA African Athletics Championships in Nigeria, she finished fourth in the 100m final. The next day, she became the women’s U18 African long jump champion.
“It was extremely disappointing because my goal had been to win a medal. I had to learn how to overcome that internal disappointment and refocus quickly.”
“That moment revealed the warrior within me. It showed me that with resilience, faith, and determination, it is possible to overcome any obstacle, whether internal or external.”
The chapter she returns to most readily, however, is the UJ Summer Challenge in November 2025. A year earlier, at the same competition, Ndubueze had torn her hamstring during a run-through, an injury she initially expected to be a minor setback. It became a two-and-a-half-month layoff.
“At one stage, I truly believed it could end my 2025 season before it had even begun. Returning to compete at the same event one year later was mentally one of the toughest experiences I’ve faced. The fear and anxiety were overwhelming, but my family and I leaned heavily on prayer and placed everything in God’s hands.”
“Then, on my very first jump, I produced a massive personal best of 6.46m and broke the South African U18 women’s record.”
“That moment meant so much more than just a distance or a record. It was motivating as I previously believed that I was not one of those athletes that can break records, however, that moment was proof that perseverance, faith, and resilience can carry you through even the hardest battles.”
The sport, she says, is a teacher first and a stage second. “Athletics has taught me the importance of resilience and self-belief, especially individual sport.”
“It constantly challenges you mentally, physically, and emotionally, and there are moments when things do not go according to plan. Through those experiences, I’ve learnt that setbacks do not define me, like my mental coach, mentors, and parents always say, it is how you respond to them that truly matters.”
Ndubueze is unambiguous about why she runs and why she jumps. Asked what motivates her, she points to a “why” that sits beyond medals.
“I want to use the platform and talents God has given me to bring glory to Him. I want people to see that my success is not only through my own strength, but through the strength and grace of the Lord within me.”
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“I know there is a young black girl somewhere who may feel discouraged or believe her dreams are out of reach. I want my journey to be a reminder that anything is possible, regardless of your race, gender, or nationality.”
That sense of representation has shaped how she looks at the senior athletes she follows, and at one in particular.
“One athlete who has had a particularly meaningful impact on me is Viwe Jingqi. I have resonated with her since 2022 and began following her journey closely, her successes, injuries, setbacks, and powerful comebacks. This was long before she even knew who I was.”
“In 2024, she gave me a very special gift: one of her South African national track jackets from the 2022 U20 World Championships. At the time, she may not have realised it, but that gesture sparked something very special in me and planted a belief that one day I would also earn national colours.”
A year later, Ndubueze was selected to represent South Africa at the U18 African Championships. Jovial Mbisha and Gabby Marais have continued the mentorship, and Ndubueze argues this kind of access is the missing piece of South Africa’s youth pathway.
“From my perspective, one of the most important things we can do is create more platforms for female athletes to share their stories and journeys.”
“Representation matters, and having senior female athletes who are approachable, especially for young girls who are looking for someone to relate to and believe in.”
The inner work sits alongside the visible work. Ndubueze speaks openly about her mental fitness coach, Jo Mountford, and about the practice of giving herself grace under pressure.
“Being a female athlete can be incredibly demanding, and the pressure and expectations from both inside and outside the sport can sometimes feel overwhelming. By learning to be kinder to myself and constantly reflecting on how far I’ve come in my journey, I’m able to appreciate and celebrate the small victories that the Lord has blessed me with along the way.”
Asked what the sport needs at youth and development level, she is precise.
“At this stage, support will give us opportunities to train properly, training gear, shoes, bras, good nutrition, recovery, and mostly sanitation, which can limit a girl child during competitions. Many young female athletes have the talent and determination, but limited resources can often stand in the way of progress.”
“Investing in us now means being part of that success story from the very beginning.”
Her advice to other rising young stars who place high expectations on themselves blends ambition with caution.
“You have to learn to separate your identity from your performance, because you are more than just results on a given day.”
“It is equally important to nurture friendships and family relationships, because they provide support, grounding, and perspective. Having people around us who care beyond our performances is important for our wellbeing and long-term success both in sport and in life.”
Her tribute to gsport on its twentieth anniversary sits in the same register.
“Congratulations to the gsport team on celebrating #20YearsOfgsport and two decades of championing women in sport. This is a truly remarkable milestone that reflects passion and commitment to giving female athletes a voice and a platform to share our stories and inspire so many young girls like myself.”
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games sit at the centre of her ambitions, but Ndubueze frames her long view in language that has very little to do with results.
“My greatest sporting ambition is to continue developing to my full potential as a sprint-jumper and to compete consistently at a national level each year, and then progress to competing at the highest international and continental level, while proudly representing South Africa.”
“More than anything, I hope to be known not only for my results, but for my resilience, my character, and the positive impact I have on everyone I cross paths with.”
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“I have always made it a point to leave people better than I found them, ensuring that every encounter is meaningful and positive.”
“Ultimately, I want my journey to reflect that with hard work, faith, and perseverance, dreams can become reality.”
Main Photo Caption: Oluchi Ndubueze is establishing herself as one of South Africa’s most exciting young sprint-jumpers, holding the national U18 women’s long jump record and earning continental honours across her age group. All Photos: Hilton Kotze
Photo 2 Caption: Ndubueze credits faith, family alongside senior mentors among foundations carrying a teenager into elite athletics.
Photo 3 Caption: The youth athlete works towards a long-term ambition of representing South Africa at the highest international and continental level.
Photo 4 Caption: Ndubueze speaks openly about her mental fitness coach, Jo Mountford, and about the practice of giving herself grace under pressure.
Photo 5 Caption: “More than anything, I hope to be known for my resilience, my character, and the positive impact I have on everyone I cross paths with.”
