UJ’s presence at the games, which take place from July 23 to August 3, will be bolstered even further with three alumni sports stars also joining more than 150 of the country’s top athletes who will compete in 16 sporting codes.
According to the university’s coaches and sport managers, the chances are looking good for these sportsmen and women to bring home a few medals.
“Looking at our ranking list and the current performances of some of our athletes, UJ stands a good chance of bringing back at least three medals,” said senior sport manager Francois Fouché.
The athletics team heading to the Commonwealth Games includes transport management student Zarck Visser (25) who will be participating in the long jump event. Visser is currently ranked first in South Africa and Africa, second in the Commonwealth and sixth in the world.
He will be joined by fellow transport management student, Ruswahl Samaai (24), who lies second in the national rankings, fifth in the Commonwealth and 15th worldwide.
Olympic silver medallist and UJ club member, Godfrey Mokoena (29) rounds out the university’s athletics contingent.
The 29-year-old triple jumper currently occupies the number one spot nationally and number five in the Commonwealth rankings.
Chiropractic student, Bernadette Coston (24) who has 100 caps for South Africa will represent the country on the hockey field, and finance student, Clinton Panther (23) is included in the men’s side.
Club player Lilian du Plessis will join Coston in the women’s line-up, while staff member Adrian Carolan will fill the role of video analyst.
“It’s always an honour, not only for the players but also for UJ hockey, to have a presence in a national team,” said UJ hockey manager Elize le Roux.
“As an institution we feel we had a hand in their inclusion. It’s a feather in our cap and confirmation that we are utilising the right system in coaching our players.”
