A young archer from Bloemfontein broke a world record at the World Indoor Archery Championships in England.
The entire Maree family was included in the South African team that took part in the championships and won top spots in their respective categories.
There were 28 countries that took part in the championships from 13 to 19 February in the Medway Park Sport Centre in Kent where the Olympics were held in 2012.
Skyla Maree (12) of the Eunice Primary School, obtained a gold medal in her first international championship in the cub bowhunter unlimited category.
On days 1 and 3 of her competition, she achieved a score of 296/300 which secured her a win and a world record.
Her brother, Nicolas (10) of St Andrew’s, obtained a second place and silver medal in the cub bow hunter unlimited category for boys.
Their parents, Michelle and Juan, won silver medals in the adult female bow hunter and adult male bow hunter limited categories, respectively. The Maree family members were the only Free State archers in the South African team.
“The whole South African team excelled with the men’s team taking gold in the freestyle and bowhunter categories,” Juan said today – Monday (20/02). “We are very proud of the South African team, and the management with Pierre van der Merwe as team manager,” Juan told Bloem News.
Skyla and Nicolas started shooting two years ago and follow in their parents’ footsteps.
Juan won gold in the World Indoor Championships in 2015 in Estonia, and Michelle won silver.
They also took part in the World Bowhunter Championships in 2013 where Juan took gold and Michelle silver. This was held in South Africa.
In 2011 the two of them took part in the World Indoors Championships in Pretoria where Michelle came 7th and Juan 14th.
