How Joshua Jordaan Became the Fastest 200m & 400m Athlete in Queen’s College’s History

Joshua Jordaan’s Remarkable Queen’s College Journey

Joshua Jordaan, who matriculated from Queen’s College this year, leaves the school as one of the finest athletes in its modern history. His journey from a self-confessed non-athlete to a national medalist and record-breaker is a story of belief, sacrifice, community support and quiet determination that has inspired both his school and the wider Komani community.

A dream sparked in 2022

Joshua’s athletics journey began in January 2022, when he received his school term calendar and made a bold declaration at home that he was going to run at national championships in Germiston. At the time, he was already part of the Queen’s College first cricket team and did not train seriously for athletics. The idea was met with disbelief, but the emotion Joshua showed that night made it clear to his parents that this was something he truly wanted.

Recognising that commitment, his parents decided to support him fully, even though they knew juggling cricket and athletics would be difficult. That moment marked the beginning of a focused path that would reshape his sporting future.

Joshua’s first official athletics race came at the Lukhanji district meeting, where he ran his first-ever 400 metres in 1:07.7. Coaches immediately saw potential. Athletics coaches and conditioning specialists came on board, and within months, Joshua qualified to represent the Eastern Cape at the South African Schools Athletics (SASA) Championships in Germiston.

There, he progressed to the semi-finals and finished among the top 16 in the country. Encouraged by overwhelming support messages from the Queen’s College Old Boys’ Association (QCOBA), Joshua pushed further and qualified for the final. He finished third in the under-15 400 metres in 50.69 seconds, an improvement of an extraordinary 17 seconds in just three months. That performance marked the beginning of something special.

Balancing cricket and athletics

In 2023, Joshua’s under-16 year, his focus shifted back towards cricket. While athletics took a back seat, he still performed strongly, winning all his events at the triangular and Hirsch meetings. The highlight of the year was being awarded the prestigious Russell Caldecott Trophy for the best performing under-16 sportsman at Queen’s College.

That award proved pivotal. It opened a strong line of support from Old Boys, including ongoing guidance and encouragement that would shape major decisions in the years ahead.

Choosing one path in 2024

By 2024, it became clear that playing three sports a year was limiting Joshua’s ability to reach his full potential in an individual discipline. After extensive family discussions and advice from trusted mentors, Joshua made a defining choice: he committed fully to athletics.

This decision came at a cost. He stepped away from first-team cricket, forfeiting the chance to earn 50 caps and walking away from his place in the Border under-19 cricket squad. The decision was not universally supported, and the family faced criticism, but Joshua remained resolute.

That determination paid off. He progressed through district meetings, won the Eastern Cape Championships, and claimed victories at the Jim Fouché meeting in Bloemfontein. He qualified for both Athletics South Africa (ASA) and SASA national championships.

At the ASA Championships in Pretoria, despite being told he would not achieve much, Joshua finished ninth nationally. While disappointed, the experience proved invaluable. A week later, representing the Eastern Cape in Paarl, he finished fifth in South Africa in the under-17 age group.

Record-breaking final school year

When school resumed in 2025, Joshua was in the best physical condition of his life. Interhouse athletics generated major excitement, particularly around the 400 metres. Joshua delivered emphatically, breaking a 75-year-old school record and becoming the fastest 400-metre runner in Queen’s College history. He also became the first boy in school history to run the 200 metres in under 21 seconds, clocking 20.8 seconds — setting the school record in both 200 m and 400 m.

He also partook in the Hirsch in 2025, where he won four medals: three golds and one silver, cementing his dominance at the event.

The season gathered momentum. He won the 400 metres overall at the Grey Bloemfontein Athletics Meeting and was crowned Eastern Cape champion once again. Competing in Cape Town in the under-20 age group at just 18 years old, Joshua finished seventh nationally and set a new personal best of 47.34 seconds, the fastest time in his age group.

At the SASA Championships in Bloemfontein, representing the Eastern Cape, Joshua produced one of his most impressive performances. Despite being advised by a physiotherapist not to run due to strained hamstrings, he competed and finished second in South Africa in the under-17 category, earning a silver medal. Injury later forced him to pull out of the 200-metre final, where he placed eighth overall.

Still injured, Joshua travelled to Johannesburg to represent Queen’s College at the Supersport Track and Field Finals. With careful management from strength and conditioning coach BB, he competed with no expectations beyond giving his best and guiding younger teammates. He won the 400 metres outright and helped the Swedish relay team secure second place overall, bringing his school athletics career to a fitting close.

Selected for ASA U20 Squad – 2026 World Athletics Championships, Oregon

Joshua’s remarkable 2025 season earned him selection into the ASA U20 Squad for the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon. This squad is a wider pool of athletes assembled for monitoring, preparation, and compliance ahead of the final team announcement. It ensures flexibility, injury cover, performance progression, and early recognition for emerging talent. Joshua’s inclusion recognises his performances in 2025, placing him on the pathway to potential international representation in 2026.

A community effort

Throughout Joshua’s journey, the support structure around him proved vital. Coach Phawu Mantashe has been by his side since the beginning, supported by Coach BB in strength and conditioning. School staff, including Director of Sport Clinton Löest and teachers such as Mr Hansen, played key roles in managing pressure and expectations.

The Queen’s College Old Boys, both locally and nationally, provided financial support, accommodation, meals and emotional backing at major events across the country. Their presence ensured Joshua and his teammates felt at home, even on the national stage.

Beyond formal structures, the impact on the school and town has been profound. Schoolmates singing from the stands at the REC, ground staff running alongside the track in celebration, and local businesses broadcasting his races all speak to the pride Joshua has inspired in Komani.

A mature voice beyond sport

Joshua’s growth extended beyond athletics. In his Grade 12 English oral, titled “You’re in Control”, he reflected on personal setbacks, including injury and disappointment, and the importance of mindset, resilience and personal responsibility. His message underscored the maturity gained through years of high-pressure competition and difficult choices.

As Joshua Jordaan leaves Queen’s College, he does so having rewritten record books, earned national honours, secured a place in the ASA U20 Squad for 2026, and shown what is possible when talent meets courage and community support. His story stands as a powerful reminder that success is rarely a solo effort — and that sometimes, a single emotional moment can change the course of a life.