KleinJan pins down African crown
This win was not only massive for Combrinck, but for South Africa as well
IT took just 1 minute and 35 seconds for Richards Bay wrestler KleinJan Combrinck to be crowned 2018 African Champion.
The Zululand muscle man quickly pinned down his Nigerian opponent Ebikewenimo Welson, a two-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist, in the finals of the African Championships in Port Harcourt, Nigeria earlier this month.
‘Ebikewenimo came in really strong from the start, but I matched his strength with good technical wrestling,’ said Combrinck.
This win was not only massive for Combrinck, but for South Africa as well.
The last time South Africa had an African champion in the senior division was in 2011.
Olympian (2008), Commonwealth silver medallist (2010) and five -time African champion Heinrich Barnes was the last South African to have claimed this prestigious title.
Combrinck has now qualified for the World Championships later this year, but owing to the high cost (R35 000) and lack of sponsorship opportunities, is uncertain if he will be able to compete.
Anyone willing to help with sponsorship can contact his dad Jan on 083 4607661.
Next step
Earlier this year SASCOC announced the official 169-member national team that will represent South Africa across 16 sporting codes at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia (5 to 14 April).
Combrinck was selected in a team of five wrestlers after winning silver at the 2017 Commonwealth Championships held last year in Brakpan.
With time running out before the start of the Games, Combrinck has a busy month of training ahead before attending a training camp in Hungary before heading off to the Gold Coast.
‘I am extremely proud and excited that I will be competing at the Commonwealth Games.
‘This will definitely be a big highlight in my wrestling career and I hope to make the best of this opportunity and bring home a medal.’
The 22-year-old’s ultimate goal is to compete at the Olympic Games.
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