Helpmekaar learner, Jan-Hendrik Heymans, looks towards the future of his javelin journey

Sometimes, the smallest moments lead to the biggest stories. For Jan-Hendrik Heymans, a learner from Helpmekaar College, a simple cricket match in primary school set the stage for an extraordinary journey. It wasn’t his batting or bowling that grabbed attention, but his arm. Fielding on the boundary, he stunned the crowd by hitting the stumps three times in a row. His mother, recognising something special, suggested he give javelin a try once he turned 12.

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Fast forward to the present and Jan-Hendrik’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. At the Bestmed Egoli Grand Prix, he set a new event record with a throw of 73.12m. Reflecting on that moment, Jan-Hendrik shares, “ending last season with a personal best was incredible, but starting this season with a near-identical distance, and breaking the record, was beyond what I could have imagined.”

His journey hasn’t been easy, though. Javelin is a highly technical sport that demands a unique combination of strength, technique, and precision. Training five days a week, Jan-Hendrik spends his off-season building muscle and focusing on refining his technique as competitions approach. Adapting to new challenges, like the shorter run-up at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), is all part of his preparation.

Inspiration is never far behind for Jan-Hendrik. His role models include javelin greats like Jan Zelezny, as well as his coaches, Hennes de Wet and Wilhelm Pauer, both Springbok throwers. Their guidance has been pivotal in shaping his success. “Without proper coaching, you won’t improve, and you’re likely to get injured,” he says, highlighting the importance of technical precision in his sport.

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Before each competition, Jan-Hendrik calms his nerves with music and focuses on getting one strong throw early to set the tone. “That first decent throw puts pressure on the others,” he explains, “but from there, it’s all about focusing on technique.”

At Helpmekaar College, he’s mastered the delicate balance between academics and athletics, thanks to the school’s emphasis on hard work, something they call ‘the Helpie way’. Even when athletics pulls him away from the classroom, Helpmekaar’s support helps him catch up quickly.

Looking ahead, Jan-Hendrik is focused on short-term goals like qualifying for the Africa Games, but his ambitions reach much further. He dreams of one day representing South Africa at the Olympic Games. The path ahead won’t be easy, especially as he transitions to throwing a heavier, 800g javelin, but if his journey so far is anything to go by, there’s little doubt that Jan-Hendrik Heymans will continue to break new ground in the world of javelin.

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