A champion returns a hero
Franklin D. Roosevelt Park Primary School rolled out the red carpet for its hero, Kyle Armdorff.
Read more: Young paddlers hit the water running at the Canoe Polo SA Championships
Kyle recently made waves on the international stage by representing South Africa at the prestigious International President Cup 2025 Regatta in Azerbaijan.
The young athlete returned home with two gold medals in the U14 Boys K1 category, triumphing in both the 200m and 500m events.
The celebrations included the school choir singing for him, a slide show of his journey in canoeing, and a poem from fellow learners. The staff were proud of Kyle's achievement, stating that he brought honour to the school. 'FDR has been in existence for 73 years, and we have never produced an international champion. Therefore, we were honouring him,' said the departmental head of the intermediate phase, Vicky Akaloo.
During the welcome ceremony, Kyle expressed his gratitude for the support he received throughout his journey. 'I worked very hard, and I am really happy to represent my family, school, and friends,' he said.
'I would like to thank all the people who have been supporting me along the way. If it were not for them, I would not be here right now.'
Kyle's message to aspiring athletes was clear: perseverance is key. 'Never give up because it is not the end of the world. Every time you train, every stroke… it counts. Sometimes when your body is really tired, you have to push yourself. It's not about waking up and training for 10 minutes; at least train for one hour. You have to get out of your comfort zone.'
Reflecting on his experience, Kyle shared his desire to compete again and create more unforgettable memories. 'I am looking forward to going to big games like the Olympics and travelling with my family one day, hopefully representing my country and becoming famous like my role models, Esti Oliver and Hamish Lovemore.'
Also read: Founder of the Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club looks back at his journey
Coach Nkosi Mzolo, who has been guiding Kyle for years, emphasised the importance of preparation and strategy. 'We had to go back to the drawing board, researching other athletes and their times. Our goal was to beat those times and ensure that when we got there, we were at the same level. We trained six days a week, sometimes even twice a day.
'I am super proud, not just for Kyle but for myself as a coach. After 17 years of coaching, this is my first medal, and it feels like a win for me already.'
Kyle's father, Ryno, shared his pride in his son's achievements. 'As a father, you can only be so proud of your kids. The moment he crossed that finish line, there were tears in our eyes as we watched from home. Everyone in the house was emotional because he worked so hard.'
Ryno reflected on his journey in canoeing and how it paralleled Kyle's. 'I always told Kyle about my experiences, and now, as his parents, we provide him with even more support than I had growing up. It's a very emotional time for us all, seeing Kyle reach such heights.
'The question now is, what's next? Everyone's talking about the Olympics. People say Kyle is too young and that we are pushing him, but he is the one telling us what he wants. If he says he is tired, he is tired; if he wants to sleep, he sleeps. As parents, we can only guide him.'
Ryno concluded that it took a village to raise a child, and now was the time for that village to step up. 'We want to see the best for Kyle, and we hope his talents will shine through, leading him to the Olympics.'
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