Province wins gold in golden games

Just as they promised – Izak and Marietjie Berrange won big at the 2013 National Golden Games.

Izak won a gold medal in the jukskei 70 plus men category and Marietjie won a bronze in the 70 plus women category at the games, which were held in Boksburg Stadium from 21 to 25 October.

Izak and Marietjie have dominated the jukskei category both locally and internationally since the inception of the Golden Games in 2005. If the results of this year’s tournament are anything to go by, the husband and wife duo look set to dominate the field for as long as they are active.

The Golden Games are a tool used by government to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens, to promote active ageing among senior citizens by participating in sport and recreational activities such as duck walk, dress up, passing the ball, 100m run, 200m run, 400m run, 500m run, 800m run, 4x 100m relay, rugby ball throw, jukskei, ring the stick, ball pass and kick, ball relay, goal shooting, pegging washing pegs and soccer (men’s only). The games are open to participants 60 years old and older.

In an earlier interview with Mpumalanga Mirror, the Berranges spoke about their love for representing Mpumalanga and winning medals for the province. “We are delighted to have come here and won medals for Mpumalanga,” they said.

Overall, it was rich pickings for the province as they collected eight medals, including two gold, one silver and five bronze. The other medalists were Mathew Ngwenya bronze in 800m, Alfred Lukhele bronze in goal shooting, Ntombizodwa Mkhashani, Samaria Hlongwane gold in jukskei, Phillip Mabena bronze in 200m and bronze in football.