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Masters athletes of Parys do it again

The AFMA Champs was the last competition in the 2023 season for masters' athletes.

The 2023 African Masters Athletics Championship at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria was met with perfect weather and a very enthusiastic group of athletes on Thursday, 16 November 2023.

Among them were Eugene Martins and Pierre Fourie from Parys Multisport in the colours of Team South Africa, ready to deliver on their promise to give their best and make us proud.

Pierre competed in the 200 m sprint on Friday and achieved fourth place in 25.37 seconds.

“It was the perfect race. Everything from start to finish went perfectly, and there was nothing I could have done differently or better on the day to deliver a better performance,” says Pierre. “The finish was a bit unusual; I have never experienced athletes diving across the finish line as if diving into a swimming pool, but it was certainly a memorable experience and a fantastic race.”

Pierre Fourie with a well-deserved third place and personal best time in the 100 m men’s 45–49 event.

On Friday afternoon, Eugene Martins (RSA) toed the line for the 6 km cross-country event.

The course was changed at short notice because the original venue was double-booked in favour of another event. The competition course was very technical, with lots of twists and turns, and it was clear from the start that this would ultimately be a race for position, with little or no regard for time.

Regardless of the challenges that preceded the race, Eugene came first out of the woods and crossed the finish line to take his first-ever title as African champion. Eugene won the 6 km race in the men’s 65–69 year division in 29:03.91, almost 46 seconds ahead of second place winner Sticks Stiglingh (RSA). Johan Coetzee (RSA) finished in third place in 34:10.01. “It was a long road and hard work to get here. I praise God for His grace and the talent He gave me. I also thank Coach Pierre for helping me and guiding me in my training for this event”, said Eugene after the race.

Eugene Martins on the winning podium as African champion in the 6 km cross country event for men 65–69 years.

On Saturday morning, the cool breeze and clouds made way for a sunny and blistering day on the track.
Tension was running high at the 100 m start, with the light conversations and bickering synonymous with Masters Athletics nowhere to be found. The winner of the 100 m men’s 45–49 years went to Martin McClintock (RSA) with a time of 12.01 seconds. Second place winner was Eustace Lemmetjies, with a time of 12.05 seconds. Pierre Fourie took third place with a personal best time of 12.21 seconds.
The AFMA Champs was the last competition in the 2023 season for masters’ athletes.

Liezl Scheepers

Liezl Scheepers is editor of the Parys Gazette, a local community newspaper distributed in the towns of Parys, Vredefort and Viljoenskroon. As an experienced community journalist in all fields for the past 30 years, she has a passion for her community, and has been actively involved in several community outreach projects as part of Parys Gazette's team.

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