The University of the Free State (UFS) is proud to celebrate the inclusion of several Kovsie athletes and alumni in the final Athletics South Africa (ASA) team that will compete at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, from 13 to 21 September 2025.

Among those selected is Mthi Mthimkulu, a current UFS student and rising star in athletics, who will depart for Tokyo on 6 September to join the national squad. Representing the Kovsie Athletics Club alongside him are Miné de Klerk, a formidable field athlete, and global sprinting icon Wayde van Niekerk.

Adding to this proud moment, former Kovsie athletes Colette Uys and Victor Hogan have also earned their places in the national team, carrying forward the Kovsie spirit on the international stage.

ASA announced that this year’s team is the largest in years, comprising 49 athletes (17 women and 32 men), along with four relay teams. The milestone marks a significant step towards building momentum for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Kesa Molotsane, Chairperson of ASA Athletes Commission and Sports Manager at Kovsie Athletics, expressed her pride and well wishes: “Kovsie Athletics would like to wish our athletes the best of luck with their upcoming World Athletics Senior Championships. We have witnessed your dedication, hard work, and perseverance throughout the season, and we are excited to see you represent the country on the world stage. Continue flying the UFS, Kovsie Sport, and Kovsie Athletics flags high up in the sky, where you all belong. Good luck, do your best, and let the spirit of great sportsmanship shine through all of you.” 

Fresh from a successful campaign at the World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, UFS continues its unbroken streak of producing globally competitive student-athletes. This outstanding achievement reflects the university’s unwavering commitment to nurturing talent that excels not only locally but also on the international stage, reinforcing KovsieSport’s proud reputation for creating resilient, world-class champions who inspire the next generation of students and athletes across South Africa.