Wrestling family celebrates a full house of gold medal champions
All three Nel men claim gold at October's national wrestling championship.
By emulating a champion one gets to stand shoulder to should with a hero every day.
The men of the Nel family have a unique achievement to boast about. The chief of the household, Juan Nel, has been a multiple South African champion for many years, but this year his sons rounded out the treble. Along with father Juan, Ruan and Juanro Nel each won a gold medal at the South African Wrestling Championships in Pretoria in early October.
Juan took up wrestling at age seven, and by 14 he was a national champion in his age group, earning Springbok colours at the age of 20. Owner and head coach of Wesrand Stoei Gimnasium since 2015, he was appointed Central Gauteng head coach earlier in 2021. His two boys, 10-year-old Juanro and 13-year-old Ruan took up the sport when their father’s gym opened and he has since guided them to the top of their podiums.
Ruan has claimed gold in his age group four times, while his younger brother Juanro put the final piece in the family trilogy this year when he won gold at nationals. “It was the first year that Juan and the two boys could wrestle together at a South African championship, and all three won gold. Juan won the Masters category, Juanro was first in the U/10 category and Ruan was first in the U/13s,” said a proud mother, Ronel Nel.
Juan gives his boys no room for error on the mat and allows for no special treatment, insisting that Ruan and Juanro be outstanding examples for the gym’s other wrestlers. “They work very hard and I am so proud of their achievements,” said Juan.
Pleased with her three champions, Ronel concluded, “Wrestling is a very disciplined sport and has taught the boys endurance, confidence and sportsmanship”.
