Two young Bloemfontein athletes, Munay Uys (10) and Danielle Joubert (17), are the Free State’s golden girls as they are now the South African champions in biathle, triathle and laser run.
This comes just before the announcement of the South African lazer run team that will compete in the world championship.
In this sport, athletes are required to run a course and shoot at a target with a laser pistol.
The Free State team produced sizzling performances at the South African championship event, held on 25 June in Pretoria.
The day’s events kicked off with the U11 races.
Wian Wagenaar of Grey College (Primary) won the Free State’s first bronze medal of the day. Munay, of the Meisieskool Oranje, won gold in her race.
In the U15 girls’ race, two athletes of the Eunice School were on the podium, with Mika-Leigh Strydom taking gold and Camilyn Parkin bronze.
The U17 gold medal winners from the Free State are Hanru Krause of Grey College (Secondary) and Ezeth Esterhuizen of Oranje.
Hanru stamped his authority on the event by adding this gold in 2022 to his 2021 silver medal for boys U17.
Danielle, of Oranje, gave a brilliant performance and won the U19 girl’s race.
Gail Potgieter won silver in the senior women’s race and in the master’s race for women. Lena van Rooyen was first and Leana Esterhuizen third.
Lané van Rooyen of Oranje and Gail Potgieter, who competes as a senior woman, also took part, both winning gold in the pentathlon and the tetrathlon events.
Free State athletes who were included for participation in the world championship, which will take place from 22 to 25 September in Lisbon, Portugal, are: Munay Uys, Wian Wagenaar, Waldo Boch, Reynhardt van Zyl, Ellé Cloete, Mika-Leigh Strydom, Camilyn Parkin, Danny Pienaar, Reynaldo Uys, Jannes Krause, Ezerth Esterhuizen, Lané van Rooyen, Hanru Krause, Danielle Joubert, Lena van Rooyen, Leana Esterhuizen and Dewald van Rooyen.
Biathle, triathle and laser run is the three sports that form part of modern pentathlon.
For more information about becoming involved in this sport, contact the Free State Modern Pentathlon Association (FSMPA) by sending email to info@fsmpa.co.za.
The new season for laser run will commence in October.
