Taljaard thankful to shot-put legend for guidance

After tossing his best mark of the season, Jansen Athletic Club (JAC) shot-putter Ewald Taljaard showered his coach, Olympian Jason van Rooyen, with compliments for guiding him to his first clubs national championships title.

Following a dominant provincial season where he never threw below 15m in the shot-put and lower than 38m in the discus, Taljaard, from Primrose, was in sublime at the ASA sub-youth track and field championships at the Mangaung Stadium on December 7.

This latest achievement follows his triumph at the South African Schools Athletics (SASA) primary schools track and field champs in Polokwane in March, where his 14.75m was enough to land him the schools national title in the shot-put.

“It feels good to win. But if it not for my coach, Jason van Rooyen, I would not be where I am today,” he said.

Van Rooyen, who represented South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics, closely watched his protégé continue his great form in Bloemfontein, again throwing above 15m.

“Ewald is such a wonderful child. He works hard and has no end. His father and I are proud of him,” the coach said.

Feeling the stage was too big for him, Taljaard thought he had no chance of a podium finish but once he got through his first throw, a decent 15.78m, his nerves settled.

The Laerskool Oosterkruin alumnus followed with 16.08m in his second throw before unleashing 17.15m. His fourth throw was 16.05 and he then tossed a personal best of 17.28m, which guaranteed him the national title. He concluded at 15.08m.

On his winning mark, he said, “It was one of my best throws this season. I had no throw under 15m and my best was 17.30m (17.28m officially).”

Taljaard was so dominant that five throws put him in the winning position, giving none of the other 20 athletes a sniff at the gold medal.

Athletics Central North West (ACNW) thrower Ethan Fourie was the only competitor to toss over 15m with his 15.20m, enough for the silver, while Charl Kortman of Gauteng North completed the top three with 13.15m.

“I thought I was going to lose. My first throw was good. I thought it was a good way to test the rest of the field. My competitors were tough but I am grateful I could pull through,” said Taljaard after his victory.

In the discus, his season’s best of 43.98m was not enough for a podium position as Athletics Free State’s (AFS) Wian Bredenkamp dominated with 53.55.

Fourie and his ACNW teammate John Jordaan were second and third, respectively, with 49.61m and 46.20m with Taljaard in fourth.

“Throwing is my passion. It helps me to take my mind off things. Thanks to all the guys who helped me get here, especially my coach and dad, for giving me the opportunity to throw.”

For Van Rooyen, who is Taljaard’s favourite shot-put thrower of all time, the victory gave him ‘complete nostalgia’.

“It is as if the stars align because I was the first shot-putter at Laerskool Oosterkruin. Ewald is also from there. It was meant to turn out this way. I am living my love for athletics through him,” he said.

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