Back from left: Pieter Pretorius (coach), Junique Windvogel (U53kg Gold U14 & U17 Female Champion of Champions Award, SA Team) Lunay Booysen (U14 U58kg) Mr Joseph Goeda (Headmaster) Marlin Matthews (U14 U44kg Gold) Jason Hallem (U14 U60kg Gold), and Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman.
Front from left: Ruwellyn Bantom (U12 U44kg Gold, Best U12 Athlete) Kenneth Mandeka (U8 U25kg Gold) Chester Karolse (U8 U25kg Silver) Lumar Karose (U14 U56kg Gold Champion of Champions Award).
Pellsrus weightlifters crowned South Africa's best U14 team
JEFFREYS BAY – A group of young weightlifters from Pellsrus Primary School in Jeffreys Bay has rewritten Kouga's sporting history after dominating the 2026 South African U14, Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships, returning home with eight gold medals, one silver medal, three Champion of Champions titles and the coveted Best U14 Men's Team in South Africa trophy.
Their remarkable achievements were officially confirmed by the South African Weightlifting Federation.
The nine-member team, coached by Pieter Pretorius, represented the Eastern Cape with distinction and produced one of the most successful performances ever by a Kouga weightlifting club at a national championship.
The medal winners were Kenneth Mandeka, Ruwellyn Bantom, Lumar Karolse, Jason Hallem, Marlin Matthews, Junique Windvogel, Lunay Booysen, Theolien Ruiters and Chester Karolse, who claimed the team's only silver medal.
Adding to the celebrations, Karolse was crowned the U14 Champion of Champions for the second consecutive year, while Junique Windvogel was named both U14 and Youth (U17) Champion of Champions. Ruwellyn Bantom was recognised as the Best U12 Athlete and the second-best U14 lifter overall.
The championships also opened the door to international competition, with both Lumar Karolse and Junique Windvogel achieving the qualifying totals required for selection to South Africa's Youth National Team for the Continental and Commonwealth Championships.
Building a legacy
The success is the culmination of two years of dedication and steady growth.
Just two years ago, six young lifters from the Kouga district represented the Eastern Cape at the national championships in Stellenbosch. Every athlete returned home with a medal, while four were crowned South African champions.
A year later, the Pellsrus contingent formed the backbone of the Eastern Cape team at the national championships in Cape Town, where seven lifters claimed gold and Lumar won his first Champion of Champions title.
This year, the programme reached another milestone as the expanded nine-member squad dominated the national stage, winning eight gold medals and securing the title of South Africa's best U14 men's team.
'These children are role models'
Head coach Pieter Pretorius, who serves as both Eastern Cape and Pellsrus Primary School head coach, said he could not be prouder of his young athletes, who range in age from just seven to 14 years.
"Our youngest lifters are achieving extraordinary things. A seven-year-old in our programme can lift 22 kilograms above his head, while one of our eight-year-olds lifts 17 kilograms," he said. "But what makes me even prouder is the example they set. These children are role models. Whenever we train, the gym doorway is filled with younger children watching them. They are inspiring the next generation."
Pretorius said the team's achievements went beyond medals.
"What we have achieved with this team is remarkable. With the core of the Eastern Cape team coming from Pellsrus Primary School in Jeffreys Bay, it is a tremendous honour for our community. I am on cloud nine."
A source of pride for Kouga
Kouga Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, congratulated the young champions and praised them for making positive choices.
"It is amazing to see young people taking hold of opportunities that keep them off the streets while giving them exposure to compete at the highest level. They make Kouga, and especially Jeffreys Bay, incredibly proud," he said.
Acting Pellsrus Primary School Principal Joseph Goeda described the team's success as inspirational.
"What makes these achievements even more special is that many of these children had very little hope, but look at what they have accomplished," he said.
"I also want to thank Pieter Pretorius and his friend Ilse Beneke, who dedicate four days every week to training our children. Their commitment has changed lives."
The weightlifters who lift twice their physical weight said they were happy with the achievements and aim to make their school proud again in future championships.
Eyes on even greater heights
The Pellsrus lifters are now preparing for the Eastern Cape Championships, where they hope to add more gold medals to their growing collection.
With national champions, Champion of Champions winners, international qualifiers and now the title of South Africa's best U14 men's team already to their name, the young athletes from Pellsrus are proving that they are building far more than strong bodies.
