Shot put and discus academy performs at international level

Pierre Blignaut’s shot put and discus academy in Krugersdorp experienced an ultra successful 2013 and according to coaches 2014 will be nothing short of another year of countless victories and achievements.

Since its official launch in 2011, founder and member of the Central Gauteng Coaching Committee, Pierre Blignaut, and co- founder and member of the Gauteng schools Athletics Executive Committee, Eben Vermaas have unveiled the potential of a number of world-class athletes.

The following were achieved by top athletes within the academy in 2013:

Jaco Engelbrecht

• fourth all-time senior shot put men’s athlete with a throw of over 20m

• fifth at World Student Games in Russia

Lezaan Jordaan

• South African junior and senior champion

• African junior champion, Mauritius

Geraldine Duvenage

• South African junior discus champion

• Silver medallist in shot put and discus at African Junior Championships

Leandri Geel

• South African schools U/17 discus champion and new SA record

• finalist at World Youth Championships in the Ukraine

• ranked number one U/16 female athlete in discus 2013 in the world

Ashley Nieuwenhuizen and Wanzel Breytenbach represented South Africa at the World Youth Championships in the Ukraine

Patrick Duvenage

• South African sub-youth discus and shot put champion with a South African record of 68,32m in the boys U/15 discus event

Ryno Herbst

• South African Schools shot put champion

Franco van den Berg

• South African Clubs U/17 shot put champion

Elzaan van Tonder

• South African U/15 Discus Champion

Juane Fourie

• South African U/13 discus champion

Pierre Blignaut (Coach)

• represented South Africa as throwers coach to Russia at the World Student games

As a whole the academy received 66 national and international medals in 2013.

According co-founder Eben Vermaas the purpose of the academy is to address the lack of efficient and proper coaching in shot put and discus at all levels of schools athletics. He challenges athletes who are particularly interested in the two sports to become a part of an academy such as the Pierre Blignaut’s cademy to grow and nurture their talent.

Academy training takes place at Hoërskool Monument on Mondays from 2.30pm to 6.30pm, Tuesdays and Thurdays from 4pm to 6.30pm.

For more information contact Eben Vermaas on 084 437 8541 or email ebenvermaasjr@hotmail.com.