Triple Crown only the beginning for Grietjie Poolman
“I have to move to a different class so I can compete and eventually qualify for my national and Protea colours and participate in the world championships. My dream is to take part in the Olympics in 2020,” says Grietjie.
Grietjie Poolman has fulfilled her dreams of becoming a Triple Crown Champion and receiving her Gauteng colours for archery.
The 56-year-old grandmother of five scored the highest points in her class at the 3Di National Championships in Tshwane on November 17 to 18.
The Casseldale resident says she has loved archery since she was a young girl and always wanted to participate in the sport after watching it on TV.
ALSO READ:
Springs JKA Dojo fight in the JKA African Cup Championship
“In 2015 I had the opportunity to take up the sport.
“My family and I went to Hunt X (an archery competition) where there was a stall with all the equipment and the stallholders asked us if we wanted to test the bows.
“Previously I had always said no, but that year my husband told me to just go ahead and do it.
“After that, my husband surprised me with a bow and arrow and I then started with archery,” says Grietjie.
Since then, Grietjie has participated in various competitions and has done very well.
The archer says the sport is now a part of her.
Her husband, Dana, and son, Pieter, have also taken up the sport.
The sport requires no real athletic ability, just practise.
Archery comes in different forms, such as 3-D archery, target archery and traditional bow-hunting.
Grietjie has set new goals for herself since earning her Gauteng colours.
“I have to move to a different class so I can compete and eventually qualify for my national and Protea colours and participate in the world championships.
“My dream is to take part in the Olympics in 2020,” says Grietjie.
When not taking part in competitions, Grietjie, alongside her family, has taken up coaching and describes it as a very natural progression for her.
“I have experience that I can pass on to others and help them perform better.
“We are also trying to grow the interest and participation in the sport in the East Rand, which is partly why we also opened our archery supply shop and have the archery range on the premises, too.
“The main thing is for others to love the sport.
“It’s both an individual and a team sport,” says Grietjie.
Follow us:
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Springs Advertiser, Boksburg Advertiser, Benoni City Times, African Reporter
