Alberton’s own Lennie Steyn to represent South Africa in Morocco

For the 20-year-old Alberton Wrestling Club athlete, the national trials in Cape Town weren’t just another competition – it was a moment seven years in the making.

Now, after years of dedication, Lennie Steyn is preparing for the biggest challenge of his career: the African Continental Championships in Morocco from April 29 to May 4.

His journey to this moment hasn’t been easy. From battling injuries to juggling full-time work with intense training, Lennie has faced every obstacle head-on.

He is ready to step onto the mat and prove himself against Africa’s best.

The road to Morocco

Lennie’s selection for Team South Africa came after a strong performance at the national trials in Cape Town on February 14.

Competing in a competitive weight division, he knew the stakes were high.

“I was nervous before my first match,” he admits. “I had the shakes, and my mind was racing. But as soon as that first whistle blew, everything else faded – I was just wrestling.”

He faced three other competitors in his category, each determined to secure their spot on the national team. Lennie fought hard, pushing through the nerves and delivering a strong performance.

Five days later, the long-awaited email arrived. He had made the team.

“I was at work when I saw it,” Steyn recalls. “I couldn’t believe it. I jumped up and down. All those years of training and pushing through losses and injuries, and now I finally had my chance.”

Pushing beyond limits

With the African Championships ahead, Lennie has increased his training intensity, going from two sessions a week to five.

Balancing wrestling with a demanding full-time job means long, exhausting days.

His daily routine starts at 06:00 when he goes to work for a gruelling 12-hour shift. By 18:00, he trades his work boots for wrestling shoes, heading straight to training. At 20:00, he returns home exhausted but determined, ready to do it all the next day.

“Right now, there’s no personal life,” he says. “It’s work and training, that’s it. My body takes a beating, but I know this is what I need to do.

“I’ve started doing more endurance work, more speed training. My goal is to increase my stamina and refine my technique before stepping onto that mat in Morocco.”

Overcoming the pain

Like any combat sport, wrestling comes with its share of physical tolls. For Lennie, injuries have been a constant battle.

His injury list is long – broken fingers, torn ligaments, sprained ankles, wrist injuries – but quitting has never been an option.

“I can never walk normally again. My fingers are always clicking, my back is always clicking,” says Lennie.
Lennie said his medal collection is what keeps him going. They remind him he can do better.

A family that never stops supporting

Behind every great athlete is a strong support system, and for Lennie, that starts with his family.

“My mom is my biggest supporter. She takes time off work to be at every competition,” he says. “Win or lose, she’s always cheering me on.”

His father has also played a key role in his development. “He pushes me harder than anyone. He never lets me settle for less.”

Coach’s confidence

Alberton Wrestling Club coach Richard Addinall has watched Lennie grow into a top contender over the years.

“Lennie has always been naturally inclined to wrestling, but in the last couple of years, he’s developed a love for big throws,” Richard says.

With the African Championships fast approaching, Lennie’s training has become even more intense.

“Right now, we’re focusing on strength, power, and refining techniques on the mat. He’s extremely quick and can throw an opponent from any position.”

According to Richard, Lennie suffered a sprained ankle just 10 days before the trials, making it even harder to push through training. But he never backed down.

“This is the biggest competition of his career so far,” says Richard. “Mental preparation is key now – emotional control, resilience, self-talk, visualisation. I believe he stands a great chance of winning gold.”

Chasing gold

Lennie knows exactly what he wants from the African Championships.

“Nothing but gold,” he says confidently. “But honestly, I’ll be satisfied with anything I get.”

He expects Egypt and Morocco to be his toughest competition, but he’s not letting that intimidate him.

“They’re tough competitors. But nerves never go away – you just have to learn to use them.”

For Lennie, Morocco is about more than just winning a medal. It’s about proving to himself, and to the next generation of wrestlers that hard work pays off.

“This is the biggest moment of my career so far,” he says. “No matter what happens, I know I’ve given it everything.”