Straight shooter to represent SA
Grietjie will represent Springs and South Africa at the World Archery Championships in August.
Grietjie Poolman (61) dominated the 74th South African National Archery Championships held on March 16 and 17.
The Springsite, who plays under the club Dynamic Archery, came first in the division for women over 50 and is preparing for the World Championships in Field Archery in Brazil, where she will represent SA.
She says she was a nervous wreck during the competition.
“This was my first competition, and I was very nervous.
Grietjie started archery in 2016.
“I bought my first bow in 2016 and have never looked back since.”
She says preparing for moments like this requires more than being physically fit.
“The main thing is to train hard, but archery is not just shooting a bow and arrow; you need to be physically and mentally fit to play the sport.”
Grietjie talks about the excitement she feels at representing SA overseas.
“It is an exciting time, especially for a woman my age. You simply don’t know what to expect.
“I used to see these competitions on TV, and to be part of them and in the spotlight is a different experience.”
Grietjie encourages those who want to do archery to do so.
“It is a fun sport the whole family can play, and even though you will compete against your fellow archers, your biggest competitor will always be you.
“You play to beat your personal best and improve your form, and you can never lose because if you don’t win, you learn.”
Grietjie leaves for Brazil at the end of July.
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