The monstrous six-foot-five, 150kg shot put champion will be targeting a South African record tomorrow to start his season on a high note – that’s if all goes according to plan after returning from an injury.

While only still 22-years-old, the Olympian will be looking to improve his personal best by close to 80 centimetres this year to cross the 22-metre mark. This will however possibly only happen at the bigger competitions this year such as the Commonwealth Games in in Birmingham, England, or the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Blignaut told OFM Sport that wants to use the meet in the City of Roses to lay the foundation for his season, and maybe a personal best could be on the cards.

“I'm coming back from an injury at the moment and I don't think that I will be able to get those big throws in during the first competition.

“I'm looking more at maybe getting them in during the Commonwealth Games or the World Championships later in the year.

“With regards to the meeting in Bloemfontein, I'm looking forward to it. Just throwing a couple of big shots and getting back into that competition environment and just getting back into the thick of things.

“I'm hoping to get a big shot in there. Hopefully a 21-metre throw or a new personal best.”

The pre-programme at the Mangaung Athletics Stadium gets underway at 14:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport