Limpopo's fencing star Rahul van Manen shines on African stage
Renowned for his exceptional skill, Van Manen remains unbeaten in senior men's épée and foil within the province, holding top national rankings as well.
Currently, he is ranked number three nationally in épée and number one in foil. His recent success at the senior nationals saw him clinching silver medals in both épée and foil, showcasing some of his best performances to date.
Notably, Van Manen has expanded his repertoire by entering sabre competitions, earning a bronze medal and a national ranking of fifth in this weapon.
His coach, Sello Maduma, praised his 'remarkable all-round fencing talent'.
Van Manen's results earned him a coveted place on the South African national team for the Senior African Championships in Lagos in late June. Focusing mainly on the épée events, he competed in both the individual and team categories.
• Individual épée: Van Manen secured ninth place, placing him firmly in the top 10 fencers in Africa – a significant achievement for someone recently promoted from the junior ranks.
• Team épée: Alongside teammates, Van Manen reached the finals against the top-ranked Egyptian team. The match was tightly contested, with Van Manen impressively matching scores against an Egyptian Olympian. Although they ultimately took silver, their performance as the second-best senior men's épée team in Africa was a moment of pride.
Maduma expressed his satisfaction with their achievements, highlighting the significance of their continental success.
Van Manen shared with Polokwane Observer that after a brief rest and participation in the provincial senior competition to defend his ranking, he will travel to Essen, Germany, to represent South Africa at the prestigious Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) World University Games (July 16-27). There, he will compete in both individual and team épée events.
Only three South African fencers were selected for this major international event, marking Van Manen's inclusion as a great honour for both Limpopo and the country.
Maduma praised Van Manen's dedication, describing him as 'a fantastic ambassador for fencing: hardworking, committed, eager to learn and respected by peers for his sportsmanship both on and off the piste'.
On behalf of the Limpopo Fencing Association (LFA), chairperson Renuka Ramroop extended best wishes for his upcoming competitions. 'We have no doubt he will give his absolute best and we remain incredibly proud of him.'
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