Tonight withLester Kiewit

South Africa's 200-metre sprint champion is 21-year old Tamzin Thomas, who hails from Mitchells Plain.

She achieved the title a few weeks ago when she won gold at the National Championships in Germiston. She then headed to Japan for the World Relay Championships.

She's back home with her nose buried in her books again as she's still a student. But Tamzin found some time between practices and studying to speak to Kieno Kammies about her amazing journey.

She began running for fun at primary school with her twin sister, she says.

It's one of those things I did at school but never thought I would achieve so much out of it.

— Tamzin Thomas, 200-metre sprint champion

And then I went to high school and I got to high school I got my first coach and my first pair of spikes and began to learn what athletics is all about.

— Tamzin Thomas, 200-metre sprint champion

She is currently studying sports management but says it is not easy being an athlete and studying full time.

It's a constant sacrifice, she says, either studying late at night or getting up early in the morning to train.

There has to be a balance.

— Tamzin Thomas, 200-metre sprint champion

She says her family is an enormous support. she says her father, a Golden Arrow bus driver who wakes up every morning at 3am to go to work, inspires her.

Her mother also works full time and still comes home every evening to cook and clean.

Tamzin says her parents work ethic has rubbed off on her and motivates her.

Her twin sister has been a South African volleyball player.

It's amazing what my twin sister and I have achieved so we can give back to my parents who have sacrificed so much and supported us.

— Tamzin Thomas, 200-metre sprint champion

Take a listen to Tamzin's inspirational journey below:

Photographs courtesy of Tamzin Thomas Facebook account.