The Alberton Wrestling Club has once again proven its strength on the national stage, delivering an outstanding performance at the second National Beach Wrestling Championships held in the Eastern Cape.

Despite sending a small team of just six athletes, the club returned home with an impressive five medals, standing out among 284 competitors from 10 provinces.

Competing under the Ekurhuleni Wrestling Association (EKWA), the Alberton athletes played a key role in helping the association secure fourth place overall.

Leading the charge was Rylan Griezel, who claimed gold in the U11 boys’ division with a dominant performance.

He was supported by a strong showing from his teammates, including Shaun de Kock, who earned silver in the senior division.

Mioni van Baalen delivered an outstanding performance, securing two bronze medals in both the U15 and President’s Junior Female categories, while Edward van der Walt added another bronze in the U13 division.

Jeandre Watson narrowly missed out on a podium finish, placing fourth in the U17 boys’ category.

The club’s success comes as beach wrestling continues to grow in popularity, with this year’s championships seeing a significant increase in participation and a higher level of competition.

According to the club, their edge came from focused preparation. Coaches implemented specialised sand training in the weeks leading up to the event, ensuring athletes were prepared to meet the unique physical demands of beach competition.

Looking ahead, the club has already set its sights on next year’s championships, which will take place in Jeffreys Bay.

With momentum on their side, Alberton Wrestling Club aims to return even stronger.