Local pentathlete Jon-Paul Raper (23), has just returned with his coach, Jessica Raper, from Europe where he competed in Paris and attended training camps in Bonn and Rome. This was done in preparation for the Africa Modern Pentathlon Championships on 23 July in Cairo, which serves as an Olympic Qualifier.
According to John the Egyptians are very strong contenders in the modern pentathlon, have a full time fencing coach from Poland and boast with athletes in the top 20 in the world.
“But,” said Jessica, a former Springbok in Modern Pentathlon; “Our athletes are as ready as we can prepare them in Port Elizabeth. There are many disadvantages, the biggest of which is the lack of senior experienced fencers, but they will do us proud. Their mental toughness will carry them through the event. Baron Pierre De Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics said that the Modern Pentathlete is the most complete athlete there is.”
Raper won the SA Championships in April and was awarded the Sportsman of the Year 2011 trophy as well as the best senior male athlete in South Africa trophy in this complex and demanding Olympic Sport consisting of; show jumping, 200m swimming, fencing, running 3x 1km and shooting 15 shots with a laser pistol.
Raper, a NMMU final year B Com Financial Planning student and ABSA NMMU athletics vice president said; “It is a great opportunity for me to represent South Africa in this sport. I like the challenge and I am making the most of the talents God gave me, right now”.
Fencing partner Tersius Zwiegelaar (16) is a grade 10 athlete in Framesby High School. He started this sport only three years ago and has shown excellent grasp of the fencing and shooting which are difficult technical disciplines. He was part of a National Youth B talent Identification programme in Cairo in December 2010 where he learnt quite a lot.
Tersius won the Youth A gold medal at the SA Modern Pentathlon Championships this year. Tersius is also a very versatile athlete and plays rugby for his school, does cross country running as well as representing the Eastern Province at the national championships in Biathle and Tweekamp.
Both these two athletes are passionate about their sport, are learning a lot of life and leadership skills through it. But most of all they can be commended for their sportsmanship and will definitely be great ambassadors for our city and country Ms Raper said before their departure on Wednesday.
Port Elizabeth Pentathletes Tersius Zwiegelaar (left) and Jon-Paul Raper.
Editors Notes: And the reference to Philip? As a rower and former national sculling champions my son, Philip, remains convinced that rowing is an extreme sport demanding the highest levels of fitness and we like to josh with him about it. But, who are we to argue with the founder of the Olympics, Son?
