Fourways High Legend, Madison-Lee Butzer competed at the South African Schools where top athletes from each province were set to compete against each other in Cape Town and Bloemfontein from 2 to 5 April 2025. Madison-Lee Butzer, affectionately known as Maddy, is officially part of the South African athletics team.
Maddy admitted she was initially upset about her placing. The first thought that came to mind upon finishing her race was, “If I didn’t hit the second last hurdle, I could’ve gotten my third-place medal.” However, Maddy became excited when she was informed that 4th place secured her a place in the South African athletics team.
Maddy’s journey began at the age of 9 when she first qualified for long jump and 80m sprints at the South African Schools Championships where she placed 2nd in long jump in South Africa. Since then, her passion for track and field has only grown. She recalls: “after discovering that I wasn’t too bad, I instantly fell in love with track and field.” Her journey to nationals was no easy feat. She placed 2nd in both 100m hurdles and long jump during district competitions, leading her to the Gauteng championships where she excelled again where she placed 3rd in 100m hurdles.
Maddy credits Tumi Ramogopa, who she competes against, as her biggest influence. Ramogopa attended the junior Olympics in Peru last year for 400-meter hurdles. “She makes me push myself harder each race I run with her”
The thrill of competing against some of the best athletes in the country excited Maddy despite her nerves. “Even if I didn’t make it into the South African team I would have still felt very accomplished for how far I had made it.”
Maddy aspires of competing at World Championships especially at the Olympics in 2028. She plans on attending top universities with strong programmes. She aims to not only excel athletically but to balance academics and sports. Maddy believes her recent ranking could open doors for scholarships.
Reflecting on her journey, Maddy recognizes her growth is something to be proud of and not just the medals. “It is the moments where I kept going when it would’ve been easier to quit. Those moments where no one’s watching, that is where character is built.”
As she looks to the future, Maddy’s journey is just beginning, and the world can be expectant of great things from her!