Nala's run to gold

Nala leaps light-footedly onto the stage and smiles at the audience. For the eleven-year-old, her personal big moment at Bethel Athletics 2022 has now arrived. "First place: Nala Zappini!" booms from the loudspeakers, the spectators applaud and cheer her on. As she receives her gold medal for winning the athletics triathlon, Nala beams and waves to her mum Katja. She embraces her daughter shortly afterwards, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. "I'm fine, mum," says Nala, "and I'm proud that I won."

Two hours before the award ceremony, she and her classmates from the Mamre Patmos School in Bielefeld are waiting in the Gadderbaum sports park for their turn. "I'm excited," admits Nala. Sure, this is her first time taking part in Bethel Athletics. But she also reveals: "I slept well and had a good breakfast." The best conditions for a successful performance. Nala quickly changes her T-shirt; she has been given one with the words "Mamre Patmos School" on it. Mum Katja attaches the race number to it. 2790: This is Nala's number to sporting happiness today.

As she passes by, a friend calls out to her: "Good luck! And above all: have fun!" But for now, it's a case of waiting until Nala and four other athletes are finally called up. They form a group because their training performances and results are close together. They finally enter the tartan track together and line up for the 50-metre run.

Immediately after the starting signal, Nala is in front, running away from the others on the outer lane. Suddenly, however, a competitor catches up and appears to be challenging her for the win. The two run across the finish line on the same level - but then don't spin out, but continue their sprint at an undiminished pace and only stop after the 100 metre line. The fact that Nala is simply unstoppable today is also demonstrated in the ball throw and long jump. She achieves the best results in her group there.

After the third and final discipline, the group makes its way to the award ceremony. There are only a few minutes left until Nala's big moment; until her name is called and she receives her well-earned gold medal. But Nala knows one thing for sure even before the award ceremony, and she lets her mum know it now: "It was so much fun! I want to take part again next year. And win again!"

Text: Philipp Kreutzer | Photos: Christian Weische