The Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation is proud to announce that one of the athletes from the Free State Sport Science Institute (FSSSI) – Mr. Juan Odendaal – has been selected by the World Cycling Body to participate at the World Para-Cycling Training Camp from 2 to 12 November 2015 in Switzerland. It is also important to note that South Africa only nominates its top Cyclists for the Training Camp and Mr. Odendaal falls within this category.
Mr. Odendaal was born in Welkom in 1996 on 16 June weighing 850 grams. He was born premature and as a result he suffers from cerebral palsy and is classified as a hemiplegic having lost most of the functions in his right arm and leg. As a primary school learner Mr. Odendaal participated in rugby and cricket. In secondary school it became very difficult to compete against able bodied learners. He is currently a first year student at the University of the Free State, studying BA Business Management. He is also currently part of the FSSSI Elite Disability Program.
Four years ago, he was introduced to cycling and excelled to compete at international level in cycling. Mr. Odendaal has obtained the following achievements during the
last four years:
- 2013 – Junior S.A. Championship (Class C3): Four Gold Medals
- Senior S.A. Championship (Class C3): Gold Medal for the road race
- 2014 – Junior S.A. Championship (Class C3 under 20): Four Gold Medals
- Two S.A. Records – 1000m & 3000m
- Senior S.A. Championship (Class C3):
- Two Silver Medals – Time trail & Road Race
- Senior S.A. Championship Track (Class C3):
- Two Gold Medals – Time Trail & Individual Pursuit
- Free State Trails for S.A. Championship 2015 (Class C3):
- Improved own S.A. record by 15 seconds in 3000 m
- 2015 – He was selected for the South African para-cycling team to compete in the African Continental Games (Track Championships) – African Continental Games: African Champ in the 1000 m Time Trail Second in the 3000 m pursuit – He was selected for the South African para-cycling team to compete in Netherland in the World Championships and obtained 15th place in 1000 m Time trail and Individual pursuit for C3 Category
Mr Juan Odendaal represented South Africa in a UCI Para-Cycling World cup event in Pietermaritzburg. In the Time trail he obtained a 10th place and in the Road race an 8th place C3 Category.
- Junior S.A. Championship (Class C3 under 20):
- Two Gold Medals
- Senior S.A. Championship (Class C3):
- Two Silver Medals – Time trail & Road Race
- Senior S.A. Championship Track (Class C3):
- Two Gold Medals – Time Trail
Individual Pursuit (Break SA record)
He has, based on his achievements, been selected by the Union of Cycling International (UCI) to participate in a training camp in Switzerland from 2-12 November 2015. Mr. Juan Odendaal is also selected by South Africa to compete in a C1 event in Manchester from 13-15 November 2015.
“Sport is a key instrument we can use not only to promote a healthy lifestyle but moreover, we can use sport to promote social cohesion within our society. Athletes like Juan Odendaal remind us, as a province; of the potential we have to compete among the best in the world in the arena of sport hence he is shining on our behalf at an international level.” said SACR MEC Mathabo Leeto.
Enquiries:
Tankiso Zola
Tel: 051 410 4742/4786/4719
Cell: 082 940 2392
E-mail: tankiso@sacr.fs.gov.za
