VANDERBIJLPARK. – The 1980s was undoubtedly a golden era for athletics in the Vaal Triangle. Without fear for contradiction 58-year-old Soezin Lion-Cachet, now Krog, can undoubtedly be named as one of the golden girls of this era. The list of people who can boast that they broke the South African and African Javelin Record twice in one week is short but distinguished. Krog achieved this incredible feat in her prime in 1988 in Bloemfontein and Pretoria with respective distances of 62.32m and 62.34m. But this is no surprise if you are familiar with this former Vaaltonian’s background. “Sport was part of our family. I am one of 6 children. We always listened to the rugby tests on the radio (long before TV). Once television arrived, we watched every Comrades Marathon, the start of the Cape to Rio yacht race, Wimbledon, cricket and rugby. “We also took part in athletic meetings. I learnt to throw javelin during grade 7 in primary school. Then started taking part in grade 8. “I broke the Interhouse meeting record in grade 8 (33.11m),” she says. Her two brothers, Brian and Alan, also obtained Springbok colours for sailing and her mom and dad took part in masters athletics. Her sister was the Chairperson for the Junior Springbok Canoeing team. “We were a very sporting family. All sailed, played hockey, canoed and cycled. Both in competitions and socially. We would crew on various yachts at the Lake Deneysville Yacht Club on the Vaaldam over weekends. I won a ladies’ yacht race around the island one year with Alan, my brother, as my crew.” She finished the Cape Argus Cycling race three times (personal best time 4h04) and the 94.7 cycle race once (3h36). She matriculated in 1979 in Meyerton from the Hoërskool Dr. Malan and in 1982 she earned her national colours. “My goal was to get Springbok colours by 21 years of age, and I achieved it a year earlier.” This was the first major highlight of an illustrious career. In total she earned her Springbok colours from 1982 – 1986, in 1988 and 1989. From 1990 to 1996 she coached and ploughed her knowledge back into the next generation’s upcoming stars. During her javelin throwing days she was fortunate enough to be coached by the best. “At varsity Hein Schnell coached me. He was also a top Springbok javelin thrower (best distance 82.32m). He represented SA in Europe in 1974.” “When I moved to Bloemfontein, I was coached by Koos van der Merwe who himself set the South African record with a throw of 91.24m,” she recalls. Today, she is an associate professor at the Unisa College of Education. And her academic resume is just as impressive. “I studied at the University of Potchefstroom (PUKKE) from 1980 to 1985. I obtained a BA Ed Degree in Education and B Ed Honours in Education. At Kovsies, I did a MEd Degree (Cum Laude) and a PhD at UNISA. I later obtained my MEd in School Guidance and Counselling (Cum Laude) as well as a Sport Psychology Certificate.” *She will be inducted in the new Vaal Legends Sport Museum in Sasolburg, which will be opening soon. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, plans to open the museum was brought to a temporary halt.