Local athlete, aged 81, wins six golds at nationals

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Three Mossel Bay athletes raked in nine gold medals at the National Masters Athletics Championships in Potchefstroom, last weekend, 2 to 4 May.

Masters Athletics SA accepts members from 35 years up, in five-year categories, thus 35 to 39, 40 to 44, 45 to 49, and so forth, with no top limit.

Exciting and competitive

The masters compete in their respective age categories, making for exciting and competitive performances in the full range of track and field events, explains Mossel Bay veteran athlete Les Stuart, aged 81.

Delmarie Henning won two golds with excellent performances in both the 5 000m and 10km walk events in her 60+ age category.

High jump

In the 45+ age category, Yolanda van Langenaar won gold in the high jump with a leap of 1,50m, and Stuart, in the 80+ category, won golds in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 10 000m and 80m hurdles.

Stuart said Southern Cape athletes could look forward to the next SA Masters Athletics (SAMA) National Championships, which will take place in Oudtshoorn in May 2025. It caters for all the age categories, from 35 up.

Delmarie Henning
Below: Yolanda van Langenaar