WATCH: Alberton athlete excels in champs, bags two medals

If Danie Putter is not on the field playing rugby or football, you will find him in the ring coaching boxing or at an athletic event.

For as long as he can remember, Danie was a sporty person – playing indoor football, rugby, and boxing. Now, he has found a new love for athletics and is doing remarkably well at it.

The former chairman of the Alberton Rugby Club and the founder of Alberton Madalas – Golden Oldies Rugby – Danie recently participated in the SA Master’s Athletic Championships from May 4 to 6.

For him, competing and coming out on top in the championships was his way of defeating all the odds.

“I have never done athletics – it was always other sporting codes. I recently qualified to take part in the championships, I did the high jump with the wrong shoes, yet managed to get a gold medal though I, unfortunately, had an injury in which I pulled a muscle,” explained Danie.

Competing alongside other top sportsmen from various provinces, he bagged one gold medal in the high jump and a silver in the long jump, competing in the 50-55 category in Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium.

“This was a good experience for me and the other athletes. I have never had that feeling to sit down and hear the national anthem of South Africa go on before competing. I thank my family and friends for their unwavering support on my journey,” he said.

His triumph in the championships saw the 50-year-old, colloquially known as ‘Roadrunner’, qualify for the African Championships in the Western Cape later in the year.

WATCH: A video of Danie Putter jumping over a bar.