For most young athletes, qualifying to represent their country internationally is a dream come true. For Durbanville siblings Jack, Ryan and Kayla Fouché, that dream has become a shared family adventure.
The three siblings, aged 14, 12 and 10 respectively, will travel to Funchal, Madeira, from 26 to 31 October to compete in the World Championship in biathle, triathle and laser run.
Achievements
Their achievement is a proud moment for the Fouché family, with each sibling earning a place at the international competition through dedication, hard work and impressive performances at national level.
Their sporting journey began with bBiathle, which combines swimming and running. They later progressed to triathle, which adds shooting to the challenge, before taking on laser run last year.
Coach Dieter Voigt supports their athletic training, while swimming forms an important part of their preparation. Jack and Ryan swim with Curro, while Kayla trains with Tygerberg.
Jack leads the way
At 14, Jack is the eldest of the trio and has already established himself as a talented competitor.
A learner at Paarl Gimnasium, he is the South African Triathle Champion and represented South Africa in modern pentathlon in Madrid, Spain, earlier this year.
In Madeira, Jack will compete in all three disciplines: biathle, triathle and laser run.
He will also join Ryan in the triathle relay, giving the brothers an opportunity to compete together on the international stage.
Ryan makes his mark
Twelve-year-old Ryan, a learner at Kenridge Primary School, has followed in his older brother’s footsteps while building his own sporting achievements.
He has qualified to compete in triathle at the world championship and will partner with Jack in the triathle relay.
For the brothers, the opportunity to represent their country together adds another special dimension to an already memorable sporting journey.
Kayla proves age is no barrier
At just 10 years old, Kayla is already showing that determination and talent can take young athletes far.
Also a learner at Kenridge Primary School, she finished third in both biathle and triathle at the South African Championship, earning her place at the world championship.
Kayla will compete in all three disciplines in Madeira, joining her brothers in representing South Africa on the world stage.
A family achievement
Behind the siblings’ success are countless hours of training, early mornings, competitions and the support of a family committed to helping each child reach their potential.
Their mother, Mareza Fouché, said watching all three children develop in the sport and qualify for the same international competition had been particularly rewarding.
“When they first started with biathle, we never imagined that one day all three of them would be travelling to a world championship together.
“Watching them grow in the sport, support each other and achieve their own goals has been incredibly rewarding.
“We are so proud of each of them and excited to see them represent South Africa together,” she said.
Although each sibling has their own strengths and achievements, their shared journey has given them the opportunity to encourage one another while pursuing individual goals.
More than medals
For Jack, Ryan and Kayla, the trip to Madeira is about more than winning medals. It is an opportunity to compete against young athletes from around the world, gain valuable international experience and wear the Green and Gold with pride.
Their qualification is also a testament to the commitment required to balance school, training and competition at a young age.
As they prepare to travel from Durbanville to Madeira, the three siblings will carry with them the pride of their family and community, as well as the hopes of those supporting them back home.
For the Fouchés, seeing three children represent South Africa at the same world championship is a milestone they will treasure for years to come.
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