Jo-Ane van Dyk is one of SA’s strong links and rising stars amoung our nation’s youth elite female athletes with her Javelin throws. She has had quite a victorious build up internationally starting with the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games 2014, CAA African Junior Championship 2015, African Senior Champs in Brazzaville in 2015. She is grateful to God to have been blessed with medals at all these meets, proudly in her green and gold. Even among the Seniors last year at the African Games in Brazzaville, which was her first round of being with the senior athletes.
Coached by one of SA’s top Athletics coaches – Coach Terseus Liebenberg at die Pukke, NWU who lends strong leadership and a guiding hand to this young athlete.
She says: “I am an introverted extrovert. I enjoy the company of other people, but I don’t mind being on my own. I am an adrenaline junkie and will always be game for a new adventure. Characteristics for now and the future : PATIENCE , less stressed “.
Athlete: Bio / Stats |
|
| Name & Surname | Jo-Ané van Dyk |
| Date of birth | 03 October 1997 |
| Place of birth | Worcester |
| Current City | Potchefstroom |
| Height | 1.71 m |
| Weight | 63 kg |
| Shoe Size | 6 |
| Club | NWU –Pukke Atletiek |
| Coach’s Name | Terseus Liebenberg |
| Out of Country events/ meets | IAAF World Youth 2013/ African Youth Games 2014/ Nanjing Youth Olympic Games 2014/ CAA African Junior Championship 2015/ African Seniors 2015 |
| Favorite City | Cape Town |
| Favorite Song | ADELE- Remedy |
| Favorite Movie | White Chicks |
| Tertiary Inst Name/ Year | North-West University ( 1st year) |
| Tertiary degree | BSc. Dietetics |
| Instagram name
Facebook name |
Instagram = JOANEVDYK
Facebook = Jo-Ané van Dyk |
| Community projects involved in | Wag-‘n-Bietjie SJGD
Viviente SJGD |
| Parents Names, siblings | Johan(father), Marjo(mother), Sumari (sister), Sybrand(brother) |
Photo Credits:
Wessel Oosthuizen
INTERVIEW:
Q: You are one of SA’s top athletes, passionate and doing so well in your Athletics (Javelin), tell me a little bit about how you started in athletics and your journey in the athletics arena up to now?
I started with javelin when I was in Grade 6. I fell in love with the sport and luckily today I am still in love with it.
Q: Who are you? Describe yourself as a person.
I am an introverted extrovert. I enjoy the company of other people, but I don’t mind being on my own. I am an adrenaline junkie and will always be game for a new adventure. Characteristics for now and the future : PATIENCE , less stressed .
Q: What is the highest accolade that you have achieved in Athletics and what is your greatest personal accomplishment?
Competing at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing 2014.
Q: You competed and did so well and medaled at the African Games in Brazzaville last year – Congrats! How did you experience that?
It was a great experience! Since it was my first time in a senior team I was a little intimidated, but generally I enjoyed the stories and experiences the older athletes shared. The lesson I learned was that athletics truly take you places!
Q: In your opinion, what is the value of Education in a young person’s life?
It is important for young people to become educated ,because education is the key to everything in this life.
Q: Would you like to share a little bit more about your faith journey and how it has affected your life / sports?
Sometimes one’s faith is shaken. Especially when you compete at a competition where you know you are capable of so much more than you achieved. You ask a lot of questions why certain things happen to you when you work and train so hard. Then you realize that everything happens for a reason and that God is planning something better for you.
Q: What do you do to relax?
I like to read or spend time outdoors J
Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?
“Practice excellence in everything you do!”
Q: What is your favourite Bible / Scripture quote?
Psalm 121 : “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”
Q: What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
My elbow “injury”. I try to forget about it, and just work through the pain. For the love of the game!
Q: In your opinion, how do you define success in life / how do you define a successful person?
A successful person is someone who can fall down 7 times and get up at 8.
Q: What’s your WHY? Why do you do what you do?
My WHY is probably because I love the sport so much. Also because it helped me mature through all the sport tours by meeting new people, being in different situations (not always the nicest) etc. I would like to have a good influence on the youth and truly try to lead by example. The example I would like to set is one of never giving up, and always trying your best at everything you do!
Q: What is your message of encouragement to South African and African youth and our nation?
Always give your best, and trust in God to do the rest!
Q: Plans and upcoming major meets before Rio?
Well, I would probably not qualify for Rio ,but my set goal is to qualify for the World Juniors in Poland .
Photo Credits: Wander Roberto / SASPA
NANJING, CHINA. 25 August 2014. Youth Olympic Games taking place in Nanjing, China. Athletics. South Africa’s Jo-Ane van Dyk.
Thank you so much for taking this interview. We would like to wish you all the best for your journey ahead. We look forward to following you as you go from strength to strength. Blessings!
NB – All images were supplied by the athlete to Heslop Sports. If there are any images that are not credited correctly, please email info@heslopsports.co.za with the details and we will gladly do so immediately.
