South African long-distance running champion Thabang Mosiako's career is at risk after a suspected racially charged attack left him hospitalised last week.
The 22-year-old 5000m national record holder and fellow student athlete Rantso Mokopane were attacked outside North West University's campus in South African city Potchefstroom, about 120km south-west of Johannesburg.
South African news outlet The Star reported the search was on for group of "about 10 white youths" in connection to the attack, thought to be students of the university.
Mokopane posted a photo on Facebook after the attack, and said: "4th time being attacked in and around the NWU Campus and this time around my training partner severely injured and resulting to a head trauma which may lead to lifelong seizures.
"I always refrain from racial issues, but on all those 4 attacks it has always been white men engulfing and injuring non-whites without cause.....it saddens me that even police and protection services fail to protect where needed."