Local gymnast killed in accident
Local gymnastics star, Lindokuhle (LJ) Sithole, died in a car accident en route to trials in Pretoria this week.
THE gymnastics community is still reeling in shock following the news that a local gymnast, Lindokuhle (LJ) Sithole, died after a car accident en route to the qualifier trials on Wednesday, 8 April.
Speaking on behalf of the Pinetown Gymnastics Club, manager, Allan Chadwick, said in an e-mail posted on the club’s Facebook page that Lindokuhle Sithole (class captain, senior gymnast and coach) died after the car accident.
“We were driving in convoy to the senior trials, junior boys’ testing and training camp in Pretoria,” he said.
Chadwick reported that a group of gymnasts was travelling with a fellow gymnast, Michael Robbertze, when his tyre burst. It is believed Robbertze lost control of the car, which then rolled several times. Sithole (22) was found outside the car. Robbertze sustained a head injury and both his arms were broken.
It was reported on the page the Robbertze would hopefully have been discharged from hospital by the start of the weekend.
Two other gymnasts were injured: Glasgow Commonwealth gymnast, Sipheshile (Sips) Biyase, sustained leg injuries and Christopher (Chris) Campos suffered minor cuts.
Chadwick wrote to Sithole’s family: “From the heartbroken Chadwick family and all at Pinetown Gymnastics, our most sincere condolences to LJ’s loving family. We know what shock and horror this must have been to you. Please take even a little comfort from knowing how loved he was in the gym. A charismatic young man who worked hard and and made everything positive and with the highest levels of energy and enthusiasm. God bless you all in your loss and in your grieving.”
Tributes for Sithole have been pouring in on the page, as well as well wishes to his fellow athletes. Two junior athletes, Andrew Flynn and Luke James, continued to take part in the trial in honour of LJ. Andrew came third and Luke came sixth in the high performance, level three qualifier for nationals.
Sithole, who was from Clermont, started his gymnastics career with rope-skipping in 2006.
According to the South African Gymnastics Federation, Sithole:
- Won the junior title (13 to 15 years) at the Rope Skipping World Youth Tournament held in Cape Town in 2008.
- Remained the KZN Rope Skipping Champion until 2010.
- Qualified for the 2010 World Championships in the UK; however, could not secure his passport to attend the event due to specific document requirements.
- He later represented KZN and South Africa at the 2011 World Gymnaestrada (an international gymnastics non-competitive festival) held in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Fundraiser for LJ
PINETOWN Gymnastics Club appealed to the community for funds to help with funeral costs for Sithole.
You can make a donation to:
KZN Gymnastics Union, First National Bank, account number 5079 1803 255, branch code 222 326, reference: ‘LJ Fund’ and your name and surname.
Send proof of donation to admin@kzngymnastics.org.za.
