It is not every day that a whole family is involved in the sport of fencing and winning medals.
Mom, Loki Swanepoel was appointed as manager of the June SA Junior Nationals in Polokwane and dad, Grant Swanepoel, was the driver and team photographer.
All four children are home schooled and began fencing four years ago, but unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic took two years of it away.
Despite having to close their doors for two years, Excelsior EC Fencing Club is excited that the Swanepoel family has continued to excel.
In December, Owen won gold and Miles won bronze in the National Youth Event held in Cape Town for u/11s. In June this year, Owen won silver and Miles won bronze in the u/13 category at the junior nationals.
Both sisters, Abigail (ranked 13th in South Africa u/17) and Caitlyn (ranked 17th in South Africa) take turns to win gold medals. Not that they plan it, it just happens said Jessica Raper, coach at Excelsior.
“We are so proud of the Swanepoel family,” said Raper.
“We are looking forward to seeing more children take up fencing, as it lends itself to an excellent way of competing on provincial and national level in an Olympic sport.”
- All ages are welcome to try out on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 17:00 at WERK2, Baakens Valley. For more info contact Jessica on 084 996 4598.
