Latest news with #VanManen
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Limpopo's fencing star Rahul van Manen shines on African stage
POLOKWANE – Rahul van Manen, the province's most decorated fencer and a member of the Sello Maduma Fencing Club (SMFA), continues to dominate the fencing scene both provincially and nationally. 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.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Limpopo fencers shine at national championships
POLOKWANE – The Fencing Federation of South Africa hosted the Senior National Championships in Midrand on May 3 and 4, where top fencers from across the country competed for national titles in the épée, foil and sabre categories. Despite facing financial constraints, Limpopo fielded a small but determined team of nine senior fencers. The delegation included five athletes from the Sello Maduma Fencing Academy (SMFA), three from the University of Limpopo (UL) Fencing Club, and one from Firebirds Fencing Club. 'Despite the small team, Limpopo made a big impact,' said Renuka Ramroop, veteran fencer and chairperson of the Limpopo Fencing Association. Leading the team was SMFA's Rahul van Manen, who delivered a standout performance by earning three medals across all three disciplines. Van Manen, ranked third nationally in senior men's épée heading into the championships, won silver in a tightly contested final – narrowly losing by a single point to South Africa's top-ranked fencer. This result elevates him to second place in the national rankings. He went on to claim another silver medal in the senior men's foil, defending the gold he won earlier this year in Gqeberha. Though he narrowly missed repeating his title, his consistent performance now ranks him as the number one foil fencer in the country. He also secured a bronze medal in the sabre event, capping off an impressive all-round showing. Ramroop said that all Limpopo athletes advanced beyond the individual pool stages and improved their national rankings, a reflection of the province's rising competitiveness. UL fencers Katlego Matladi and Mpho Mpe fought tenaciously, while SMFA's Sebastian Austin delivered a strong performance, now ranked 10th nationally in senior men's épée. With Van Manen at number two and Austin at number ten in the national épée rankings, Limpopo now boasts two fencers in the top 10 – a significant milestone for the province. The female fencers also made their presence felt. Safiya Khan Patel was placed eighth in the senior women's épée and continued to show promise in the foil category. Ramroop herself earned a bronze medal in the veterans' division and maintains her national number three ranking. In the team event, Limpopo's Team A, comprising Matladi, Mpe, Austin and Van Manen, secured a bronze medal. The team staged a remarkable comeback, overturning a four-point deficit in the final three minutes to win 45–43. 'Although fencing is still developing in Limpopo compared to other provinces, our athletes continue to show exceptional talent and determination. They are proving they can compete with the best and bring home medals,' Ramroop said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
