This past weekend, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Sport athletes won in two separate sporting codes locally and internationally.
UJ athlete bags bronze medal at FISU World University Cross Country Championships
This past weekend, the University Sports South African (USSA) student team represented #TeamSA at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Cross Country Championship which took place in Switzerland.
Two UJ’s athletes, Cian Oldknow and Thamsanqa Khonco, participated in the championships, and Thamsanqa Khonco took home the bronze medal in the 10km event
FISU launched the World University Championship series in 1963. The first FISU World University Championship took place in Lund, Sweden.
The World University Championship events offers cities and often universities the opportunity to host a major international sports event with a minimum cost and complexity. In 2018, 34 stand-alone World University Championship events make for a calendar full of quality competitions.
“We are delighted with the quality that our athletes are putting up in the international events. It is exciting to see our athletes winning, it is a great deal for our country and university image in sport. All we need to do is provide support to them so that they continue doing great,” says Ms Nomsa Mahlangu, UJ Sport Senior Director.
Other UJ athletes and staff are currently competing in at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia. The competition ends on 15 April.
UJ rowing team wins USSA Rowing regatta in Cape Town
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) rowing team won the USSA Rowing regatta which was held at Misverstand dam in the Western Cape this past weekend. This competition is a sprints contest with nine universities participating.
The competition is normally a 1km course, but due to the water crisis in Cape Town, the course was closer to 750 meters. This made racing conditions difficult but UJ were able to see past the challenge and make the course work for them.
Caleb Haydock, Bradley Pirie and Ashton Lucey were selected to row in the Grudge boats (Half university colours). Mzwandile Sotsaka, Dimitri Xides and Michelle Kotze were selected to row in the Blues boats (Full University colours).
Points:
1st UJ 508 Points
2nd UCT 479 Points
3rd Tuks 434 Points
4th Rhodes 384 Points
5th Wits 203 Points
6th UKZN 169 Points
7th UWC 102 Points
8th NMU 79 Points
9th Maties 74 Points
Highlighting wins of regatta:
Mzwandile Sotsaka – 1st in MA1x
Mzwandile Sotsaka and Caleb Haydock – 1st in MA2x
Bradley Pirrie & Dimitri Xidies – 1st in MA2- (LW)
Buhle Ncwele – 1st in MD1x
Buhle Ncwele and Dylan Lloyd – 1st in MD2x
Jasper Matthews – 1st in MC1x
For a number of the UJ students, the hard work starts now. Next month, selections will take place to compete for a seat to the Student World Games which will be held in Shanghai, China, in August. The selections will not solely depend on the athletes’ performances, but also on the performance of the boat.
“Orange is the new gold # USSA Champs 2018. Our team displayed great teamwork and that won us that trophy. All of those early mornings paid off and we are proud to be a part of the winning UJ team,” says UJ Head Coach Sizwe Ndlovu.