He’s barely finished school and already making waves in the adult national angling world.
Björn Lepnik (18) is still reeling after he was just crowned as the overall winner of the national tournament held by the South African Bank Angling Federation (Sabaf) at Bloemhof Dam in the North West province at the beginning of March.
The Western Province B-team took part in the President Division of the tournament, with the team taking home gold.
Lepnik, who matriculated from Stellenberg High School last year, also won the victor ludorum trophy.
Two-day practice
At angling competitions all teams have a two-day practice time as some of the provinces are not familiar with the dams they’re competing in. The competition over the next three days determines the winning province.
In this tournament a total of 2 023 fish were caught weighing in at a staggering 1 910,373 kg.
This year Western Province was the host of the event.
“Humbled,” was how he described how this achievement made him feel.
Progress
This is no small feat for someone who started fishing only three years ago, when the Covid pandemic saw him start fishing at a local dam.
In 2021 he joined an angling club.
He made quick progress, and during his club’s league in 2023 he walked away the winner in the president division.
Lepnik hopes to get his Protea colours one day. At the moment he is doing his trials for the u-25 feeder division.
Follow the Western Province Freshwater Angling Association on Facebook for more information.
