Team SA’s participation at the World Games in Chengdu, officially gets under way on Thursday in the south-western Chinese city which is home to 20 million people.
South Africa will be one of over a hundred nations parading at the opening ceremony, with archer Hendre Verhoef and orienteering’s Sarah Wimberley being given the honour of carrying the country’s flag on such a big stage.
Verhoef, 17, and Wimberley, 22, are part of Team SA’s representation of 20 athletes across eight different sports.
Multi-code event
These are the 12th The World Games, a multi-code event for several sports and disciplines that are not in the Olympic Games programme, with the event taking place every four years.
This is South Africa ninth successive participation at The World Games, having accumulated 20 medals from their previous eight appearances.
This year’s edition of The World Games is being held from 7 to 17 August.
Both Verhoef and Wimberley are ranked No 1 in their disciplines in South Africa and both have represented the country previously on the international stage.
Verhoef will be wearing green and gold for the eighth time, while Wimberley has already participated in two Junior World Orienteering Championships and two World Orienteering Championships.
Words of encouragement
In congratulating both Team SA athletes on their appointment as flag bearers at the opening ceremony, the president of the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC), Barry Hendricks, offered words of encouragement to the pair.
“This will become a life memory for both of you. It is indeed an honour for you to represent your country on the international stage, but carrying the flag adds to the enormity of the achievement. It’s important that you soak up the atmosphere and carry the energy of the ceremony into your competition.
“There is a huge audience watching The World Games and you have done all the hard work in earning your Team SA colours. Enjoy the moment and go out there and do your best on this big international stage,” he added.
Verhoef and Septimus Cilliers get Team SA’s campaign started when they take part in the men’s target compound qualification, with the knockout stages beginning on Friday.
TEAM SA SQUAD
ARCHERY (3)
Men: Hendre Verhoef, Septimus Cilliers
Women: Jeanine Van Kradenburg
Management: Gerda Roux
CANOEING (2)
Men: Hamish Lovemore
Women: Saskia Hockly
Management: Nkosi Mzolo
KICKBOXING (5)
Men: Ahmad Mahomed, Matthew Gething, Muhammad Mia
Women: Leanne Van der Mescht, Saentone Louw
Management: Aslam Mahomed, Shabnum Mia
MUAYTHAI (1)
Men: Damian Collins
Managemet: Brett Clarke
ORIENTEERING (1)
Women: Sarah Wimberley
Management: Garry Morrison
POWERLIFTING (2)
Men: Harold Pietersen
Women: Megan Faul
Management: Andrew Ludick, Rodney Anthony
SPORT CLIMBING (4)
Men: Joshua Bruyns, John-David Muller
Women: Aniya Holder, Tegwen Oates
Management: Dean Bruyns
SQUASH (2)
Men: Dewald van Niekerk
Women: Hayley Ward
Management: Jean-Pierre Brits
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