Amanzimtoti lad to compete overseas
COUNTLESS hours of practise and fierce discipline have paid off for Amanzimtoti canoeist Jimmy Papadopoulos, 18, after he was selected to represent South Africa at the the Auronzo International Sprint Regatta in Italy this month, and at the International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Portugal from July 23 to 27.
Also read: First race of canoe series done and dusted
Jimmy began his canoeing journey at the age of eight under the guidance of his first coach, Brent Chiazzari of the Toti Canoe Club. Currently he is coached by Olympian paddler Tiffany Koch.
'When I saw the official announcement that I had been selected for the South African team to compete in Portugal, I was absolutely over the moon. I couldn't stop smiling the entire afternoon. I immediately started messaging all my friends and family, although most of them already knew, as my mother had proudly shared the news the moment it was released,' said Jimmy.
This will be his first time representing South Africa on the world stage, and he is deeply honoured. He is in peak physical condition, having trained around 10 hours per week.
'Four of those hours are in the gym early in the mornings before school, and the remaining six are spent on the water, putting in focused paddling sessions. Mentally, I've been watching as many race videos as I can from previous events held in Portugal on the same course. This helps me visualise the environment so that it feels familiar when I finally get there to compete,' he said.
Also read: Warnadoone lifesavers achieve podiums at national sports event
Canoeing gives Jimmy the opportunity to challenge himself and push his limits. He said what he loves the most is being able to measure his progress each year at the South African sprint championships, where he races against some of the fastest boys in the country.
'I'm incredibly fortunate to be sponsored for both international trips. For the Italy tour, my parents created a Back-a-Buddy campaign, and I'm immensely grateful to the Toti Canoe Club and all my friends and family who supported me through that. For the Portugal World Championships, I'm fortunate enough to say that KZN Canoeing has sourced funding, and I'm very thankful for their support,' he said.
For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.
Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
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
an hour ago
- The South African
'I'd wake up at 2am to play for Bafana'– Kaizer Chiefs midfielder
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele has indicated that he would do anything possible to represent Bafana Bafana. The 28-year-old has made a few appearances for the national team but has not been in Hugo Broos' plans for years. He was recently called to the Bafana Bafana's COSAFA Cup squad but withdrew due to injury. Cele joined Kaizer Chiefs on a free transfer after parting ways with the Russian side, Fakel Voronezh in January. He has been one of the club's good signings this past season, stamping his authority in the midfield. The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder expressed his desire to get back into the Bafana Bafana setup. 'Any opportunity I'm given to represent the country, I'd wake up even at 2 AM to play for the nation. But it's just that I've been struggling with an injury,' Cele said as per FARPost . 'I do watch Bafana games because it's football and I support the national team. I want to be part of that. When we grow up as young boys, we have dreams of representing the country. 'So, this is something I've been fighting for even with the Under-20s and U-23s. Even the soldiers, when they go to fight, wear a South African badge. So we want to be part of that,' Cele said. With positions at Bafana Bafana heavily contested, it would be tough for the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder to break through. Under Nabi, Cele has excelled and might get a call-up if Amakhosi improves next season. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates: Big-names who WON't coach the Bucs
Some of the biggest names in the SA football have been linked with the Orlando Pirates job. Orlando Pirates are actively searching for a new coach. Furthermore, the next coach will have massive boots to fill following the departure of Spaniard, Jose Riveiro. As mentioned, several massive names have been linked with Pirates including Pitso Mosimane, Rulani Mokwena, Benni McCarthy and Manqoba Mngqithi. However, some of these men are not in contention due to current circumstances. Bucs legend, Benni McCarthy will not be coaching Olando Pirates next season. This is because the Bafana Bafana and Bucs legend has recently started his next coaching job. McCarthy is now in charge of Kenya. So, all reported links have now been outrightly dismissed. However, this does not mean he will never return to Mayfair. It just means McCarthy will not be coming back to Pirates any time soon. EX-SUNDOWNS COACH RULED OUT OF CONTENTION Manqoba Mngqithi will also not be coaching Pirates next season. Moreover, the ex-Sundowns coach has just started coaching PSL rivals, Golden Arrows. Meaning, he is committed to his next coaching journal with the KwaZulu Natal-based outfit. Initially, Manqoba was one of the big names linked with the Pirates hot seat. However, similarly to McCarthy he is also no longer in the running for the Bucs hot seat. Meaning, Rulani Mokwena and Pitso Mosimane are still technically in the running for the Pirates job. Meawhile, Mandla Ncikazi and Carlos Nodar Paz join the likes of Pablo Franco Martin, Florent Ibenge and German tactician, Marco Rose. 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.
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Reminder: Kick off time for Springboks' season-opener
The Springboks will kick off their season with the Qatar Airways Cup clash against the Barbarians in Cape Town on Saturday 28 June, in what will mark the first encounter ever between the sides on South African soil. Kick off is at 17:10. This will be followed by the Incoming Series, which will see them face Italy in back-to-back Tests in Pretoria and Gqeberha on 5 and 12 July, and Georgia in Nelspruit on 19 July respectively. The Springboks will then head into their Rugby Championship title defence, and eventually wrap up their 2025 season with the traditional end-of-year tour that includes high-profile Tests against France and Ireland. 28 June: vs Barbarians, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:10. 5 July: vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Kick off: 17:10. 12 July: vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha. Kick off: 17:10. 19 July: vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Kick off: 17:10. 16 August: vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Kick off: 17:10. 23 August: vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:10. 6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland. Kick off: 09:05. 13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington. Kick off: 09:05. 27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban. Kick off: 17:10. 4 October: vs Argentina, London. Kick off: 15:00. 8 November: vs France, Paris. Kick off: TBD. 15 November: vs Italy, Turin. Kick off: TBD. 22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin. Kick off: 19:40. 29 November: vs Wales, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:10. *SA Rugby are working on adding one more Test for the Springboks, likely to be against Japan. Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Tshituka (all Sharks), Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos (all Stormers), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Wilco Louw, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Nortje (all Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel (both Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse (all Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie (all Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Lions). 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.
