Heidelberg Soldiers celebrate strong medal haul at Alberton wrestling competition
The Heidelberg Soldiers Wrestling Club produced an impressive display in Alberton on August 22, with its young wrestlers securing a string of medals while gaining valuable experience and building confidence against strong competition.
The Heidelberg Soldiers Wrestling Club delivered a strong performance in Alberton on August 22, as its young wrestlers competed for places at the KZN Open and gained valuable experience against strong opposition.
The club returned with an impressive medal haul. Lindi Oosthuizen won gold in girls U11 single-mass, while Wessel Oosthuizen claimed silver in boys U11 and Greco-Roman wrestling.
Jo Conradie also won silver in boys U11, despite having only about three months of wrestling experience.
Other notable results included gold for Aleana Harding, Remi du Toit and Evah de Beer in girls U11 single-mass. Odin du Toit and Luwan Janse van Rensburg won bronze in boys U8, while Amieke claimed gold in Presidents single-mass and silver in U8 freestyle.
Luke Marx of Vaal Wrestling, who competed alongside the Soldiers, won silver in boys U9 and gold in Presidents freestyle. Okuhle Moloi narrowly missed a podium place in boys U9.
Assistant coach Leona Oosthuizen said the competition was about more than medals, with the young wrestlers gaining confidence, discipline and valuable match experience.
“We are extremely proud of the wrestlers and the progress they continue to make. For us, it is not only about winning medals, but also about allowing these young athletes to gain experience, build confidence and develop discipline.
“The support and sportsmanship we experienced in Alberton were fantastic, and we are especially grateful to the KZN wrestling community and Orange Grove for making the competition such a positive and memorable experience for our wrestlers,” she said.
Wrestling is contested according to weight categories, resulting in several U8 and U11 divisions.
“Friendly bouts were also arranged for those competing in single-mass categories to ensure they gained valuable time on the mat.”
Oosthuizen praised the KZN wrestling community for its welcoming spirit and thanked the KZN sponsors, Orange Grove, for supporting the wrestlers with treats and medals.
With the club growing from a handful of wrestlers two years ago into an expanding group of young athletes, the Heidelberg Soldiers are showing promising signs of becoming a strong force in youth wrestling.
For information about training, contact Dewald de Wet on 071 466 3397 or Oosthuizen on 082 399 4202.
