Veteran panner wins big nationally
Panner put Mpumalanga on a map during the national level competition .
Veteran panner, Coen Vermaak was the biggest winner at the 2013 National Gold Panning Championships, which were held in Pilgrim’s Rest this past
weekend.
Vermaak bagged two gold medals in premier categories at this year’s
tournament. He won the proficient men and veteran’s categories and in the
process earned himself the honour to represent South Africa at next year’s World Championships, which will be held in Sweden.
Vermaak joins an elite club of panners who have defended the proficient men crown. His good showing at the tournament will give another shot of challenging for the big honours in Sweden next year.
“It feels good to end up on the winning side again,” said an excited Vermaak.
The complete results were as
follows:
Proficient Men
1. Coen Vermaak
2. Surprise Mdluli
3. Edwin Kuhn
Proficient
Women
1. Rene Reinders
2. Sendra Mthuke
3. Sherry
Goodwin
Traditional Pan
1. Essie Mogane
2. Joseph Matshaka
3. Thomas Reinders
Veteran’s
Category
1. Coen Vermaak
2. Linda Trail
3. Joseph Matshaka
Beginner’s Women
1. Antoinette Coetzee
2. Beauty Malatjie
3. Sarah Cosa
Beginner’s
Men
1. Jason Chang
2. Kgaugela Mohlala
3. Ryan Kirsten
Culture, Sport and Recreation spokesperson, Sibongile Nkosi
described the four-day tournament, which was held from September 26 to 29, as a roaring success. “Overall, it was a successful tournament on and off the panning the panning dams. Now the hard world begins for all those who have been selected to represent South Africa at the World Championships next year.” The sport is easy to get into. Panners receive a pan and a bucket of sand in which a number of gold nuggets are hidden. The winners must retrieve the most nuggets in the shortest time.
