Commonwealth wrestlers receive a heroes’ welcome
SA wrestlers who competed in the Commonwealth Games arrived from Glasgow to a heroes’ welcome at the OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday, August 2.
The team won two medals at the Games, which ran from July 23 to August 3, courtesy of local wrestlers Mpho Madi and Armando Hietbrink, who both won bronze medals in the women’s 53 kg Division and the men’s 86kg division respectively.
“Winning the bronze medal means a lot to me; I’m happy for the achievement, happy for the club (Boksburg Wrestling Club) and happy for my teammates – I’m just very happy,” enthused 26-year-old Madi upon her arrival.
Madi’s stable mate, Hietbrink (23), labelled winning the bronze for the country a ‘dream come true’.
“A lot of excitement was going through my mind when I was handed the medal,” he recalled.
“I couldn’t believe it, these were my first Commonwealth Games and it’s just a dream come true.”
The team were coached by Nico Coetzee and Esta van Zyl, who are also coaches at the Boksburg Wrestling Club.
Asked what he made of the team’s achievements, Coetzee said: “Look, you know a coach will never be happy because you want more medals, but I’m happy under the circumstances.
“We took a young team and some of the results (at the Games) were really close; so I’m happy – especially because both (Madi and Hietbrink) come from my club.”
Adem Digovich, who also wrestles out of the Boksburg Wrestling Club, finished ninth in his 125kg division.
South Africa completed the Games with 40 medals, seven more than their previous tally in India four years ago.
The next Games will be held in Australia in 2018. -@SabeloBoksburg
