From being a supporter to winning the Adult Archery Generation (AAG) Women’s World Championship, Jolanda Grobler (40) sees archery not just as a sport, but a way of life.

Since she became an AAG archer by joining the Kosmos Archery Club at the beginning of 2023, Grobler has competed in nearly 100 competitions and has taken numerous top spots with her precision aim.

Her love for the sport began as a support for her friend’s daughter, Simoné Schimper, who began shooting the bow and arrow in 2020, at the age of 10.

“I was fascinated by what archery has to offer, not just as a sport, but as a way of life. It teaches you discipline, respect, patience, trust, commitment, and so many more life lessons. It keeps you physically and mentally fit,” said Grobler.

When joining the Kosmos Archery Club, Grobler did not know how to hold a bow. The first time she held a bow and shot her first arrows, all the arrows went all over the place, hitting everywhere except the target. Grobler recalled the range with an arm full of “snake bites”.

“What a journey it has been. With a lot of reading, research and people who crossed my path who were willing to teach me new skills and give advice, I could finally enjoy the talent I am blessed with,” said Grobler.

In 2023, Grobler participated in 28 competitions, which included the 3Di Triple Crown, the Mpumalanga provincial tournament and the AGA-SA national championship. In the 3Di Triple Crown leg three, she came overall in the AAG.

At the Mpumalanga tournament, she won silver in the women’s AAG and was selected for the 2023 AAG provincial team to participate in the AGA-SA national champs. She won bronze in the individual women’s category for AAG 3D.

In 2024, she participated in 37 competitions. Grobler achieved the top three ranks for AAG women in 33 of the competitions, which included the 3Di Triple Crown, Mpumalanga provincial tournament, and AGA-SA national championship.

In the 3Di Triple Crown leg one, she came first for the AAG women’s division and first place overall for AAG. In the 3Di Triple Crown leg two, she won the AAG women’s category. The third leg was cancelled.

At the Mpumalanga provincial tournament, she achieved the provincial gold medal for the AAG women and was selected for the 2024 AAG provincial team to participate in the AGA-SA national championship in Kimberley.

She was also selected for the AGA-SA national senior team to represent South Africa in the 2025 AGA World Tournament in Walvis Bay, Namibia, that took place from July 24 to 26. She competed against archers from South Africa, Botswana, Canada, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Her achievements this year (up until July) have seen her participate in 36 competitions. Grobler has achieved the top three ranks for the AAG women’s category in 33 of these competitions, which included the Mpumalanga provincial tournament and AGA World tournament. At the Mpumalanga tournament, she won gold in the provincial AAG women’s division and was awarded the best Mpumalanga AAG Women’s Archer for 2025.

She was selected for the 2025 AAG provincial team to participate in the AGA-SA national championship that will be held in Polokwane, Limpopo, in October. At the AGA World tournament in Namibia, she achieved her personal best in both the Bulls Eye (BE), scoring 296, and in 3D, scoring 291.

For the individual category that was shot over two days, which included 3xBE and 2x3D competitions, she achieved the AAG women’s World Championship title for 2025 in the following categories: AAG BE women’s category (gold); AAG 3D women’s category (gold); AAG combined 3xBE and 2x3D women’s category (gold).

Grobler formed part of the AAG-SA National senior team, and the team took the AAG World team championship title for 2025 in the following categories: AAG BE; AAG 3D; AAG overall. The team’s first knockout round was against Namibia, and then moved on to the final knockout round for the number one spot for the world championship title against Canada.

“My motto in life is to take it one day at a time, just like in archery, one arrow at a time. Control what you currently have in front of you and focus on the impact you can make with it because you can’t change the past and you are not guaranteed the future,” said Grobler.

Grobler lives in Kriel and works for Afgri Equipment in Betha. She loves nature and outdoor living, and archery fits perfectly into that picture. She also enjoys hiking and squash.

“My role models are ordinary people achieving the extraordinary by being humble, who keep on moving forward through the good times and the bad, who are adaptable to change and who pay it forward, because what we have is only a gift from God,” concluded Grobler.

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