Schools & sport

Bullseye Bosses! Thabazimbi Archers Rule the National Stage

23 June 2025 · Platinum Bushvelder

Bullseye Bosses! Thabazimbi Archers Rule the National Stage

Thabazimbi – The Thabazimbi Archery Club has once again proven its precision by dominating the SANIFAA National Indoor Archery Competition, held virtually across South Africa this May. Competing in two rigorous 60-arrow sessions (totalling 600 points), local archers went toe-to-toe with the best in the country — emerging with a remarkable four gold, six silver, and two bronze medals. In indoor archery, every arrow counts. Cubs shoot from 10 yards, while juniors and adults shoot at 20 yards. Archers have just 240 seconds to shoot five arrows, with tie-breakers decided by X-counts — arrows hitting the exact centre.

Thabazimbi’s archers showed their mettle:

  • HJ Swanepoel delivered a perfect performance in the Adult Male Freestyle Unlimited (AMFU) category — a flawless 600/600 with 118 Xs out of 120 — earning him a gold medal and national admiration.
  • Chris Welgemoed secured silver in the Veteran Freestyle Unlimited (VMFU) class, narrowly missing gold by just five Xs.
  • Jaco van Vuuren also made the podium with a bronze in the same category.
  • Rising star Mardus Ras (Junior Male Freestyle Unlimited) matched the top score of 600/600 but finished second after losing the X-count by just one.
  • In a dramatic showdown, Reinhart Labuschagne earned silver, just behind a rival from the Merensky club in Tzaneen.

The club’s female athletes also dazzled:

  • Mathilda Broekhuizen shot 300/300 and 297/300 to claim gold in the women’s category.
  • Linette Naudé and Claire Mouton followed closely in 4th and 6th positions, respectively.
  • Amori Weatherall-Thomas triumphed in the youth category with gold, while Jean-Mari Viljoen placed 4th.

Thabazimbi’s young sharpshooters are also proving unstoppable:

  • Mienke Snyman (Cub Female Freestyle Unlimited) earned silver.
  • Pieter Steenkamp (CMBU, a learner at Laerskool Thabazimbi) brought home gold.
  • Jordan Naudé (Laerskool van Wykskraal) finished 4th after an unfortunate “zip” miss.
  • Ricus Snyman, four years younger than most of his competitors, placed an impressive 6th.

These results reflect more than just skill — they reflect the unique Bushveld upbringing of these young archers. With a lifestyle rooted in nature, hunting, and discipline, they’ve gained a winning edge early on. Thabazimbi Archery Club is making its mark.

Main photo: Champions of the Bushveld! Front from left: Mathilda Broekhuizen (AFBU), Linette Naudé (AFBU), Jordan Naudé (CMBU), Pieter Steenkamp (CMBU), Ricus Snyman (CMBU), Mienke Snyman (CFFU), Claire Mouton (AFBU), and Lee Mouton (AMBU). Back from left: Dehan Parsons (JMBU), AJ Swanepoel (JMBU), Mardus Ras (JMFU), Reinhart Labuschagne (JMBU), and Jean-Mari Viljoen (JFBU).

Sharp shooters on top! Front from left: Claire Mouton (AFBU), Pieter Steenkamp (CMBU), Chris Welgemoed (VMFU), Ricus Snyman (CMBU), and Mienke Snyman (CFFU). Back from left: Lee Mouton (AMBU), HJ Swanepoel (AMFU), Dr Jaco Marais (AMFS-R), and Jaco van Vuuren (VMFU).