One of Welkom’ top master athletes, Conradie Scheepers, has a deep passion for his sport.
He says since he was little, he loved sports and always tried to participate in every event possible: “And so my love and talent grew every day.”
Scheepers says the South African Master Championship in Cape Town in May was the pinnacle of his life as a master athlete.
“My God and Saviour worked a miracle in setting a new season’s best and number one ranking in the world in the shotput for men 55 to 59 year old category.
“I threw 15,33 m. It was also the best distance thrown by any master’s athlete in South Africa of any age. I won gold in the shotput at the national championship.”
He says things got even better at the African Masters Championship that took place in Pretoria from 16 to 18 November.
“It was the first time that I could compete in my national master’s colours and represent my country. I won the gold medal for my age group and was crowned the African champion for 2023.
“My sport is my passion and also keeps me healthy. It takes a lot of discipline, hard training, and proper technique to be the best. It involves proper strength training in the gym, working around minor injuries to get to the top. My dream never stops because I can still achieve so much more,” he says.
Scheepers has been a member of the Eskom athletics club since 2001, and serves as its deputy chairman.
He also coaches shotput and discus. He says he enjoys coaching because it is part of his ministry, helping his athletes to believe in themselves and grow in character.
“It was yet another very special year for me as master’s athlete. I learned to trust my God even if my circumstances and health were not the best.”
Scheepers has been a teacher since 1991, and teaches his favourite subject, Mathematics, at the Welkom Preparatory school to Gr. 5 learners.
