Bowler lives his dream at Commonwealth Games

Describing competing at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham as magical and surreal, pro bowler, Wayne Neville Rittmuller, jetted back home, recently.

The Bluff resident is still feeling the butterflies after representing South Africa at lawn bowls when he competed against the world’s best bowlers at the Royal Leamington Spa Bowling Club.

“This was my first Commonwealth Games and I was extremely excited. I tried hard not to show too much emotion as I didn’t want that to affect how I play. We had a few days practice once we got to the club and as the excitement built up and we got closer to the start, the nerves started to kick in. The opening ceremony was an amazing and truly unforgettable night. When I heard the cheering and clapping, coupled with the adrenaline of the pictures and videos taken of us arriving at the Alexander Stadium, I was overwhelmed. When I eventually walked into the stadium for the opening ceremony, the atmosphere and vibe was magical,” said Wayne.

The 40-year-old stellar bowler, who started playing bowls when he was just 12 years old, said he felt the jitters and was nervous at the start, but quickly regained his composure and battled it out for the win.

“During my first game, I became nervous for the first few ends but that soon subsided. In the pairs, we were undefeated in our section, but then lost in the quarter finals. In the fours, although we played well, we did not get the results we anticipated and won two matches and lost two matches, which meant we didn’t get through in our section and bowed out of the tournament. It was an amazing experience and one that I will never forget. I am proud to have fulfilled my dream to represent my country at the Commonwealth Games,” Wayne said.

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The Stella Park Bowling Club member added that his next goal was to compete at the next Commonwealth Games, but this time bring back some medals, preferably gold.

No stranger to the competitive bowling arena, Wayne joined Wentworth Bowling Club, where both his parents were members, in 2001 when he was 19-years-old.
He thereafter played for the Hillary Bowling Club from 2008 to 2012. Highlights of his journey as a bowler include making his debut for South Africa at the 2017 African States Tournament, where he achieved three gold medals and was named player of the tournament. He went on to bagging three national titles, as well as additional gold and silver medals for South Africa.

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