Ruiter wrestlers shine at African Championships

Two wrestlers, Duné van Zyl and Jessica Eagar, have etched their names in African wrestling history, claiming silver medals at the 2025 African Wrestling Championships, held in Casablanca, Morocco, in early May.

The duo competed in the U17 category, showcasing exceptional skills and determination. Jessica also competed in the U20 women’s division and impressively won a bronze medal.

The head coach of Ruiter Wrestling Club, Dean van Zyl (who was also part of the national coaching staff), expressed his extreme pride in the two girls, saying it was an incredible moment for the club.

“We are beyond proud of these girls. More importantly, we express our gratitude to God for bestowing upon them these talents and creating these opportunities. They’ve worked so hard for this, and the journey is only beginning,” he said.

Their journey to this achievement wasn’t an easy one, as both wrestlers began by qualifying for the South African team through the national trials.

They then went through intense national training camps, testing their skill and determination, and only those who met the high standard were selected to be part of the team.

Just a week before the championships, Duné and Jessica attended the prestigious Continental Preparation Camp hosted by United World Wrestling and the Moroccan Wrestling Federation. This world-class environment allowed them to spar with some of the best wrestlers from across Africa, fine-tuning their skills and gaining valuable experience.

Through this achievement, they hope to inspire others to believe in the process, give it their best and trust in the One who gave them their gifts.