Witpoortjie Bowling Club’s Tracey Smith was victorious when she participated in the South African National Disability Bowls Championship.
The competition took place recently in Kimberly and Tracey won a gold medal in the women’s singles and a silver medal in the mixed pairs.
The B1 (totally blind) bowler was representing the Central Gauteng team and her victory brought her total gold medal collection to 14.
Last year, Tracey represented South Africa in New Zealand where she was crowned the champion in the women’s B1 category.
She is now the current B1 world champion in singles and pairs.
“It is a big achievement for me to represent my country and win. Not many people can say they have done it,” she said.
Tracey started bowls in 1992 and has been playing for the love of socialising and the competition.
“I love playing and competing against the other bowls players.
Although she is a world champion, Tracey’s aims to have a far reaching impact in the sport than just winning.
“The number of blind bowlers is dwindling and I want to get more blind bowlers to participate in the sport. I want to help create an interest in the sport so we can get more players to participate and enjoy bowls the same way I do,” she said.
Her guide Thomas Smith has been with her for more than 10 years. He joined her in 2000 at the Blind Masters competition. The following year Tracey won her first gold medal in a national competition.
“In every tournament I have been her eyes and to see her doing so well has been a blessing to me. The first time she won a gold medal in the Quadrangle series I cried because I know how hard she works. The feeling of representing your country is amazing and going through that journey with her has been great,” he said.
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