Bouwer sisters aim for international breakthrough in Climbing
The Bouwer Sisters have once again made Gauteng proud after being selected to compete in the World Cup competitions of the International Council for Competition Climbing (IFSC), which will take place this month in various cities in Europe.
After earning their Protea colours in this sport for two consecutive years, the sisters travelled to China in August last year to participate in the Youth World Championship.
The IFSC Youth World Championships is arguably the most prestigious event for youth athletes to take part in, while the tough World Cup series is probably the biggest test for any international climber.
'I'm incredibly excited and honoured to be representing South Africa at the IFSC World Cup in Madrid. Competing on the world stage is always an amazing experience, and I feel proud to wear the green and gold. This will be my third time representing my country, and after seven years in the sport, it still feels just as special. I can't wait to climb alongside the best in the world and keep pushing my limits,' said Caitlin Bouwer shortly before their departure for Europe.
Her sister, Tiffany, also couldn't hide her excitement and especially talked about the competition in Finland.
'When I was younger, climbing internationally always seemed so far away. The first year I made the team I was so excited to see what would come. This is my third year competing for my country and nothing has changed. I can't wait to visit Finland and make SA proud,' she remarked.
The Bouwer Sisters, who also coach younger climbers at the local Rock Valley Climbing Club in Hennops Park, Centurion, train six days a week at this indoor climbing facility under the expert guidance of their head coach and father, Tiaan Bouwer.
'I am extremely proud of the girls. Having qualified for three years in a row shows their dedication to their sport they love. It's a privilege to be both their dad and coach. The fact that they are counted among the best climbers from not only Gauteng, but South Africa, is really a proud moment for me,' the proud father concluded.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
11 minutes ago
- The South African
Are these three Springbok stalwarts being phased out?
As the Springboks begin to plot and plan the team's best pathway to the 2027 World Cup, it is inevitable that some senior players will begin to fall by the wayside. Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that there will need to be some careful consideration given to the average age of the squad that heads to the next global showpiece. However, as long as some veterans continue to meet their key performance metrics, they can keep themselves firmly in the mix. With all this in mind, though, it was revealing that Erasmus did release three veterans from an otherwise near full-strength squad for the start of the Rugby Championship. So, what does the future hold for Faf de Klerk, Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am? Faf de Klerk A star performer during the 2019 and 2023 World Cup triumphs, De Klerk missed a large part of last season due to injury, and in his absence the likes of Grant Williams and Morne van den Berg have begun to take big strides forward. De Klerk is now 33-years-old, and while this may be a consideration to some degree, it can't be forgotten that Cobus Reinach remains in the latest Springbok squad at the age of 35. Faf came off the bench in the first Test against Italy and against Georgia, so he's certainly not out of the picture just yet despite falling down the pecking order to some degree. Verdict: There IS more to come. Makazole Mapimpi The veteran wing will soon celebrate his 35th birthday on 26 July, and although Mapimpi is still in great shape, even he has admitted that it's highly unlikely he'd make it through to the next World Cup. Mapimpi has lost his spot in the Springboks' first choice starting line-up to Kurt-Lee Arendse, and other young wingers such as Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe have shown great potential for the future. Nevertheless, Mapimpi did display great form for the Sharks this past season, and the Springboks know the value of his reliability and experience. Verdict: Mapimpi might battle to make it to the next World Cup, but over the next two years, he should still have an opportunity to prove that age is just a number. Lukhanyo Am In recent times, injuries have really plagued the progress of the 31-year-old, and at the same time Jesse Kriel has established a firm grip on the No 13 jersey. It is evident that the Springboks also view talented Canan Moodie as a strong back up option at outside centre, perhaps also prompting the decision to release Am at this stage. However, there is no doubt that the Springboks do need some more depth at outside centre, and the national coaches will be desperately hoping to see Am get back to his best fitness and form. Verdict: Don't count him out just yet, age IS still on his side. Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers). Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
SowetanLIVE
an hour ago
- SowetanLIVE
‘We deserve it': Bonmati strikes as Spain down Germany to reach Euro final
Spain's Aitana Bonmati struck a superb extra-time winner to fire her side to a 1-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday and send them through to the Women's European Championship final for the first time. The win set up a decider against holders England in Basel on Sunday in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final that saw the Spaniards crowned world champions for the first time. Bonmati finally broke the deadlock in the 113th minute, picking up a ball in the left channel and spotting a gap left by Germany keeper Ann-Katrin Berger at the near post before whipping a shot from a tight angle into the net. Spain captain Irene Paredes struck the foot of a post with a first-half header as her side dominated possession, with the Germans building a solid block and inviting the Spaniards to attack while they attempted to strike on the counter.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Markram, Bavuma lead Proteas against Australia as Brevis and Pretorius eye ODI debuts
Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma are back in the mix to captain the Proteas' T20 and ODI squads respectively on their tour of Australia next month. According to The Citizen, the three-match T20 series will take place from August 10–16, followed by a three-match ODI series between August 19–24. The matches will be played across Darwin, Cairns and Mackay. Dolphins off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, who recently made his Test debut against Zimbabwe, has earned his maiden call-up to both the T20 and ODI squads. Titans batters Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dré Pretorius are set to make their ODI debuts, having already featured in T20 internationals for South Africa. Brevis, Pretorius and Subrayen feature in both squads, alongside batters Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs, and seamers Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada. Notable omissions from the squads include David Miller, Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi and the now retired Heinrich Klaasen. 'It's great to have our senior players back in the mix after their rest following the WTC Final,' said coach Shukri Conrad. 'Their experience and quality add real value to the group as we continue to build a strong core in both formats. 'Every series from here on plays a part in shaping our squads for next year's T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup at home in 2027. 'Touring Australia is never easy. We know their conditions and intensity will test us in every department, and that's exactly the kind of challenge we're after.' Proteas T20 squad against Australia Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Rassie van der Dussen Proteas ODI squad against Australia Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen Fixtures 1st T20 – Sunday, August 10 Australia vs South Africa – Marrara Stadium, Darwin 2nd T20 – Tuesday, August 12 Australia vs South Africa – Marrara Stadium, Darwin 3rd T20 – Saturday, August 16 Australia vs South Africa – Cazalys Stadium, Cairns 1st ODI – Tuesday, August 19 Australia vs South Africa – Cazalys Stadium, Cairns 2nd ODI – Friday, August 22 Australia vs South Africa – Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay 3rd ODI – Sunday, August 24 Australia vs South Africa – Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
