An all-round sports fan, her speedy son also displayed a knack for table tennis and is punted by Wafeeq Domingo, head coach at Duinefontein Table Tennis Club and a long-time friend of the Karriem family, as having had the potential to become one of the country's top junior players.

“Abduraghmaan is a very focused, disciplined and respectful individual and has been this way since young. It is no surprise to us at Duinefontein Table Tennis that he has gone on to achieve what he has in the world of sprinting,” he said.

“Athletics always took precedence over table tennis so his training was limited. However, he showed lots of promise and had the potential to become one of the country's best juniors,” said Domingo.

While the two sporting codes are worlds apart, Domingo believes the fast-paced nature of table tennis can enhance a sprinter’s abilities, speed and explosiveness.

“Table tennis requires quick reactions to fast-moving balls, improving hand-eye coordination and reaction time. Sprinters can benefit from enhanced reaction time off the starting blocks,” he said.

“Table tennis also demands intense mental focus and concentration. Sprinters can benefit from improved mental toughness, allowing them to maintain focus under pressure,” he said.

Well-known Cape soccer fundi and former professional footballer, Abubakaar “Boebie” Solomons agrees. Having made a name for himself on the soccer pitch, Solomons was awarded WP colours in five different codes - athletics, soccer, swimming, volleyball and table tennis.

“It’s a fantastic ‘brain’ training activity that sharpens your reflexes and reaction speed which is excellent in sprinting, for explosive starts and increasing rapid movements and leg rate,” he said.

For Karriem, it’s all about explosive starts and rapid leg movements as he goes about preparing for his next big race, dealing with unexpected obstacles and setting his sights on competing beyond the country’s borders.

An opportunity to compete at the European Athletics Tour, along with SA speed kings Akani Simbine, Wayde van Niekerk, Benjamin Richardson and Bayanda Walaza has presented itself, but raising R180 000 to cover food, transport, and training essentials, is proving to be his biggest headache.

“This isn’t just an ordinary trip - it’s a chance for me to compete amongst the best athletes all around the world,” he said. If you can help, call 082 312 1832.

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