Otniël van Wyk, a gifted sixth-grade student from Du Toitspan Primary School, earned a well-deserved bronze medal at the recent Africa Genesis Archery Federation World Tournament hosted in Limpopo.
Du Toitspan Primary School’s rising star wins a bronze medal at the Africa Genesis Archery Federation World Tournament
Otniël van Wyk, a gifted sixth-grade student from Du Toitspan Primary School, has accomplished an impressive feat in the realm of archery. Competing as part of the Africa Genesis Archery (AGA) South Africa National Development Team, Otniël earned a well-deserved bronze medal at the recent Africa Genesis Archery Federation World Tournament hosted in Limpopo.
The AGA Federation Tournament saw representatives from Botswana, Canada, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe competing for the World Archery Championship Title. The event marked a significant milestone for the AGA Federation, officially welcoming Canada as a member and deciding that African countries would now compete against each other every second year.
During the competition, young Otniël showed his extraordinary talent and commitment to the sport by placing an outstanding 47th out of 219 archers from five different countries. The young archer, who lives in Diamond Park with his grandfather Jan Malat, attributed his interest in archery to his pal Morné. Since being introduced to the sport two years ago, Otniël has been diligently practising to improve his abilities.
“I really like archery; it is a sport that I find that I am good at, and also because it is a very safe sport to take part in,” Otniël shared during an interview with the DFA. He expressed his passion for archery, which has not only allowed him to excel in sports but also provided him with opportunities to explore various parts of the country and meet new people.
During the AGA World Tournament, Otniël admitted to being slightly nervous on the first day but found his rhythm as the competition progressed. He excelled during the 3D animal shooting competition, earning him the coveted bronze medal as part of the National Development Team.
Looking to the future, Otniël aspires to represent the national team and travel the world, competing in archery tournaments globally. His grandfather, Mr Malat, said that he couldn’t be more proud of his grandson’s achievements and expressed gratitude to the teachers and coaches for nurturing Otniël’s potential.
Jan Visagie, the teacher and coordinator of the archery club at Du Toitspan Primary, also commended Otniël’s commitment and eagerness to learn. He predicted that Otniël’s dedication would lead him to make significant strides in the sport and become a well-known figure in the country.
Meanwhile, in a significant development for the Africa Genesis Archery Federation (AGAF), Dawid de Greeff, the chief coordinator of the Northern Cape and a member of the National Adult Archery Team, has been appointed as the Secretary of the federation. The AGAF currently consists of representatives from Botswana, Canada, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
De Greeff expressed his gratitude for this prestigious role, saying, “It is a great honour to serve the AGAF and the Federation. Archers, in this way, contribute to the development and growth of a sport on a global level.”
With his experience and passion for archery, de Greeff’s appointment is expected to further strengthen the federation and promote archery in the participating countries.
Africa Genesis Archery Federation World Tournament Results:
DEVELOPMENT TEAMS RESULTS:
3D Development Team Results: Namibia, Canada, and Zimbabwe
BE Development Teams Results: Namibia, Canada, and Zimbabwe
Individual Male Bronze Medal in the Development 3D Event:
3rd (Bronze) Otniël van Wyk, NC, SA
JUNIOR TEAMS RESULTS:
3D Junior Team Results: South Africa, Namibia, and Canada
Bull’s Eye Junior Team Results: Canada, South Africa, and Namibia
ADULT TEAMS RESULTS:
3D AAG Team Results: South Africa, Botswana, and Canada
Bull’s Eye AAG Team Results: South Africa, Canada, and Botswana
AAG Overall Winner in the Bull’s Eye and 3D:
South Africa
Development Overall Winner in Bull’s Eye and 3D:
Namibia
Junior Overall Winner in Bull’s Eye and 3D:
South Africa
Tournament Champions 2023:
Canada (overall most points scored in the Championship)
