Marione Fourie provided the best performance at the Gauteng North Athletics Championships on Saturday when she won the 100m hurdles in 12.80 seconds at Pilditch.
The Tuks athlete’s time is currently the fastest in the world in the event. What makes it remarkable is that this is the first time this year she has competed in the 100m hurdles, and it is only her second race of the year. The last time she competed in the 100m hurdles was in September last year in the semifinals of the World Championships in Tokyo. It was, in itself, a unique achievement, as Fourie broke her collarbone ten weeks before the championships.
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When asked if the 12.80s was her fastest opening time for a season, Fourie replied that it was not. Last year, in her first race, she clocked 12.72s.
Over the weekend at the same championships at Pilditch, she improved her time in the 100 metres to 11.62s. Her results should come as no surprise, as world-renowned Laurent Meuwly now coaches Fourie. Under Meuwly’s guidance, the Netherlands’ Femke Broeders-Bol won the 400m hurdles at the World Championships twice (2023 and 2025).
Fourie has trained with Broeders-Bol, and according to her, she is a remarkable person and athlete.
“Femke is probably one of the most humble people I’ve ever met. She doesn’t talk about her achievements at all. What makes training with Femke and the other athletes in the group great is the camaraderie that prevails there. Although every athlete has their own goals, there is total support among them. Everyone wants the other to succeed.”
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That’s why Fourie can’t wait to train with them again in Potchefstroom in April. The athletes are coming to Potchefstroom to hone their skills for the World Relays. According to Fourie, she wouldn’t mind participating in the World Relays herself.
“But I don’t think South Africa has yet qualified a team for the women’s 4x100m relay.”
In South African athletics circles, it has been said a lot that Fourie has some of the best hurdle techniques. Meuwly disagrees.
“In my very first training session, I was made to understand that there were various aspects of technique that I would need to improve if I wanted to run faster times. I’m impressed. He really has a good eye. I must admit I struggled at first to adapt to his training program. It’s very different from how we train in South Africa.”
Fourie has set herself two goals for the season. One is to medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and the other is to qualify for the World Athletics’ Ultimate Championships in Budapest.
To qualify for the Ultimate Championships, she will have to be among the 16 fastest in the 100 m hurdles. It is certainly doable. Last year, Fourie was the 19th fastest in the world; in 2024, the 15th fastest; and in 2023, the 17th fastest.
