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24 September 2024
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Story Aimée Barlow
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Photo Supplied
Louzanne Coetzee, who made history by clinching South Africa’s second medal at the Paralympics, earning a bronze in the T11 1 500 m women’s final with a personal best time, received a warm reception when she recently returned home.
The celebrated Paralympic bronze medallist Louzanne Coetzee returned home to a warm welcome at the Bram Fischer International Airport on 10 September 2024.
Family, friends, colleagues, Arista students, and media gathered to celebrate her remarkable achievement and show their support.
Coetzee – KovsieSport Coordinator of Parasport at the University of the Free State (UFS) – made history by clinching South Africa’s second medal at the Paralympics, earning a bronze in the T11 1 500 m women’s final with a personal best time. Her dedication and hard work have not only brought her personal glory but have also inspired many in her community.
Among those present to welcome her was Jerry Laka, Director of KovsieSport, who expressed his pride in Coetzee’s accomplishments.
"We as KovsieSport are so proud of our colleague Coetzee. It is amazing to see a product of KovsieSport achieving greatness on the world stage. She is truly an inspiration to us all," said Laka.
“I am so glad to be back, and to have Laka and my colleagues here. It means the world to me. Having Laka here shows his commitment to my career and ParaSport and his staff in general,” shared Coetzee, her gratitude evident.
She further expressed her appreciation for the support she received, stating, “I don’t have the words to describe how thankful I am for the support from the UFS community.”
Coetzee’s return is a proud moment for South Africa and the University of the Free State (UFS) community. Welcome home, Louzanne! Your achievements have made us all proud!
Athletics SA hosts cross-country championships at our university
2011-09-28
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Zola Budd
Photo: Johan Roux
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According to Mr DB Prinsloo, Director of KovsieSport at our university, Athletics South Africa’s Cross Country-Championships, which was hosted on our Bloemfontein Campus, was a great success. Not only did a record number of 3 368 athletes register for the championships, but a record number of spectators – between 10 000 and 12 000 – also attended.
Well-known former Kovsie athlete, Zola Budd, who was the World Cross-Country Champion in 1985 and 1986, gave an outstanding performance at this event and triumphed as the overall winner in the 30-70 age group. What made her performance even more remarkable was her time of 14:37 in the 4 km race, which was faster than any of the girls in the 14-17 age group.
Kovsie student, Danel Prinsloo, also gave a good performance by finishing 6th out of 79 athletes in the junior women’s category. Danel, Charity Moletsane and Jessica Stevens (also from the UFS), won the bronze medal in the junior women’s team competition.
Khothatso Mokone obtained a 17th place (out of 70 athletes) in the senior men’s division. He also contributed to the Free State’s bronze medal in the 12 km team competition.
Other Kovsie athletes who contributed to the team competition medals for the Free State were Marili du Buisson, who won a bronze medal in the 4 km race for women under 21, and Maryna Swanepoel and Nelmaré Loubser, who both received bronze medals in the senior women’s 8 km race.
Danie Cronjé, former Kovsie and current Chairperson of the Kovsie Athletics Club, obtained a gold medal by winning the 8 km race for men aged 55-59 in a time of 30:37.