Krugersdorp’s shot put star Kyle has a shot at Tokyo 2020 medal
Roodepoort resident, former Monnas learner and SA shot put star Kyle Blignaut is in the final of the men's shot put event at the Tokyo Olympics. He will be in action on Thursday.
With the confidence and demeanour of a hulking bull, South African star athlete Kyle Blignaut stepped into the shot put circle, took a couple of steps forward, secured his feet at the edge of the ring, cradled the shot put ball in his neck and with an explosive spin, launched it across the field to land at an impressive distance of 20.97m.
This throw during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifying round on August 3 placed Kyle in eighth position among 12 qualifiers, landing him a spot in the finals on Thursday, August 5.
The Monnas old boy has been training under coach Pierre Blignaut (no relation) since he was nine years old. Coach Pierre, whose shot put and discus academy is currently situated in Krugersdorp accompanied him, fellow Olympic thrower Jason van Rooyen and other South African athletes to this year’s Olympic Games as one of the South Africa team’s throwing coaches.
In 2018, Kyle took the gold in the IAAF World U20 Championships, and in May this year he achieved a new personal best of 21.21m at the South African Universities (USSA) Championships.
This personal best is 0.24m better than his qualifying throw at the Olympics on Tuesday, and just 0.84m short of the first position qualifier thrower’s attempt of 22.5m. Based on Kyle’s past performances, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he can secure a medal in the final round.
Kyle attended Hoërskool Monument High in Krugersdorp and lives in Florida, Roodepoort. He currently assists with coaching at the Pierre Blignaut Shot Put and Discuss Academy, which operates from Hoërskool Noordheuwel’s sports fields.
