By Mark Etheridge

Team SA are sending back  bagfuls of medals at the recent African Youth, Junior and Senior Weightlifting Championships in Kampala, Uganda.

Fourteen countries are taking part in the championships with strong representation from Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Cameroon.

Veteran lifter Portia Vries (48kg) has won three gold medals in the senior categories with fellow Capetonian Babalwa Ndleleni (75kg) taking a gold, silver and bronze, also in the senior category.

Other top achievements came from: Sinazo Adonis(53 KG) 3 gold Junior. (in his first International competition), Darryn Anthony(85kg) three silvers, Mona Pretorius (58kg) three silvers, Matshisido Masiu( 63kg) three Gold Youth and three Gold Juniors and is the African Youth Record Holder in 63 kg), Tlalane Ramarou(63kg) three silver Youth and three silver Juniors, Luwellyne Phillips fourth Junior, Lyle du Plooy fourth Senior. and Jean Greeff (two gold and one silver so far).

Says Aveenash Pandoo, with the team in Uganda: “My team have been very competitive and a big surprise to many other countries. The time for mediocrity is over. We have to make our presence felt.”

Pandoo has also been appointed to the Scientific and research committee of the Weightlifting Federation of Africa where he will be able to access more latest research in training and also increase our standard further.