Master athletes make a mark
Out and proud
Namibian athletes Jacobus Roux, Johan Steyn and Pieter Burger made their mark in the South African Master Athletics Championships held in Cape Town from 4 to 6 May 2023. These three athletes made their country proud by bagging two gold and four silver medals in their respective categories.Steyn, who competed in the age category of 45 to 49, had a remarkable performance in the 110m hurdles, clocking 18.37 seconds – his personal best – which earned him a gold medal. He also participated in the 400m sprint, where he placed fifth with a time of 58.67 seconds, the 200m sprint where he took the silver medal in 25.30 seconds, and the 100m sprint where he earned another silver medal in a time of 12.47 seconds. Steyn’s outstanding performance in the high jump, where he cleared 1.40m, earned him another gold medal.
Burger, who competed in the age category of 40 to 44, showcased his skills in the high jump, where he claimed the silver medal, clearing 1.65m. Meanwhile, Roux – who also competed in the same age category – secured a silver medal in the discus event, with a distance of 20.94m.
However, their success in the tournament is not the only thing that they are proud of. These athletes also represent the oppressed LGBTI+ community of Africa, which makes their achievements more significant. The LGBTI+ community faces numerous challenges, such as discrimination and inequality, making it more challenging to excel in any field. However, these athletes proved that nothing can stop them from achieving their goals.