Wanderers walkers walk wonderfully
Four members of the Wanderers athletics section attended the XX World Masters Athletics Championships in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and brought home gold, silver and bronze.
Hildergard Vey, Barbara Nell, Lesley van Buuren and Monica Risk obtained 14 medals between them in the event that saw 90 countries participate.
The total number of medals earned by the South African team was 76. Of these, 33 were gold, 19 silver and 24 bronze. South Africa was ranked 7th on the medal table.
According to the club’s Teresa Blair, the four athletes earned their medals in the 5000m track race walk, the 10km road race walk, and the 20km road race walk.
The track and field events, as well as cross country, race walks, marathons and half-marathons took place over 10 days.
“Van Buuren was the world champion in all three of her events in the 50 to 54 age group,” said Blair.
Van Buuren won three individual and two team gold medals, and placed first in the 5000m race walk, the 10 km race walk, and the 20km race walk, while Risk won silver and bronze individual medals and a gold team medal, having placed third in the 5000m race walk, second in the 20km race walk, and first team in the 20km race walk.
Vey achieved two bronze and one silver medal, having placed third in the 5000m race walk, third in the 10km race walk, and second in the 20km race walk.
Nell was awarded individual silver and bronze medals, as well as a gold team medal. She placed second in the 5000m race walk, third in the 10km race walk in the women’s 55 to 59 category, and first in the team 10km race walk in the women’s 50 to 54 category.
Nell’s age category change was due to a rule that allows athletes to move down in age to make up a team, and the results were taken on the addition of the three times.
Details: www.thewanderersclub.co.za
