Barberton’s Kobie du Preez conquers rain, cold and creepy crawlies to win bronze medal

Barberton resident, Kobie du Preez, won a bronze medal in the veteran female freestyle unlimited division at the International Field Archery Association World Field Championships in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, which was held from August 2 to 9.

Du Preez was selected for the 24-archer South African team (18 Protea shooters and six from the South African National Indoor And Field Archery Association). The South African archers participated in 11 different categories. The team performed very well, bringing home 12 gold medals, six silver and three bronze as individuals. In the teams divisions, they won two gold and one bronze medal.

“Conditions were tough. We experienced wind during the practice days and it was difficult to get new sight settings. Our settings were out due to the difference in air pressure,” Du Preez said.

The championships were held over five days and she competed against three other South Africans and a Brazilian. On the competition days, they had to walk 1.5km with their gear to the shooting points where 28 silhouetted targets set between 35 feet and 80 yards awaited them.

Estelle Jacobs accumulated the most points, 2 569, to take the gold medal. Fellow South African, Grietjie Poolman, was second, also on 2 569. Du Preez finished third on 2 521 points. On day three, she got the highest score of 558 points in the animal target shoot.

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“The first competition day was fair, but then it started to rain on day two. Luckily, I was prepared with a rain coat and protection for my equipment. The red clay soil soon turned into mud that made the ground very slippery. The next day we still had the rainy conditions, but then it was also cold and we had to wear warm clothes underneath the rain coats. The cold remained for the last two days, but luckily the last day was clear skies,” Du Preez said.

“We were privileged to shoot in the forest of the Itaipu Binacional Park. We had special permits and security made sure we were only in the allocated space. We had to wear long pants as a guard against many biting and stinging insects, and had to buy special insect repellent. Leaf cutter ants were a problem for the organisers as they ate pieces of the paper target faces and even consumed parts of the rubber buttress.

“It was a privilege to represent South Africa as a Protea archer. I would like to thank everyone who was rooting for me. Your love carried me. Every message was and is appreciated. Every bottle of jam you bought for my fundraising or financial contributions made my road easier. The archery range at Mankele was good preparation for me. It is a joint venture between Mankele and the Nelspruit Archery Club,” said Du Preez.

Should you want to know more about archery in the Lowveld, contact Colin Tapson from the Nelspruit Archery Club on 082 418 7660.