Consecutive wins for Tshite: SA runner conquers Madrid after record run

South African middle-distance runner Tshepo Tshite has launched his 2026 season with blistering speed, following up a national record-breaking performance in the Czech Republic with a commanding victory in Madrid this week.

Speaking to Eyewitness News, the 29-year-old expressed confidence in his early-season form, which saw him shatter the South African 3000m short track record last Tuesday at the Czech Indoor Gala in Ostrava.

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Tshite clocked 7:38.17 to take second place, slicing more than a second off Elroy Gelant’s previous national mark set in 2014.

“Yes, I knew that I'm capable of running it,” Tshite told EWN. “Because my preparations [have] been going well. That's why I was confident that I'm gonna run it.”

His dominant form continued on Thursday night, where he won the men’s 3000m at the Madrid World Indoor Tour Gold meeting, finishing in 7:39.11 only his second competitive appearance over the distance.

Tshite, who already holds national records in the 1500m (indoor and outdoor) and the indoor mile, told EWN that he now considers himself a "versatile athlete" looking to expand his repertoire.

Having reached the finals at the World Championships in Tokyo and competed at the Paris Olympics, his focus has shifted towards the 5000m for the upcoming ASA National Championships in Stellenbosch.

“For me, graduating is important in my career,” Tshite said. “Coach Samuel Sepeng, we've changed our approach when [it] comes to preparation; our focus is more [on] endurance because we've noticed that I have natural speed. Something that we think I'm lacking [in] is our endurance; that's what we've been trying to get right.”

Reflecting on his journey from primary school competitions to elite international racing, Tshite told EWN that his drive remains fueled by the desire to reach the podium.

“World Championships managing to reach finals meant a lot [to] me; [it] boosted my morale,” he said.