Johannesburg - Sunette Viljoen has been one of the world's most consistent javelin throwers over the past decade. In an interview, the 32-year-old Rio Olympic silver medallist told the IAAF about a number of key moments in her athletics career.
“My high school coach, Marina Hamilton, coached me for my two years in the sport from the age of 16. “In my first javelin experience, aged 14, I didn't really know what I was doing and all I succeeded in doing was hitting myself with the javelin.
“But because I had played cricket (she was to represent South African in cricket) since I was a young girl, I always had a natural throwing ability and the first time I tried again, I threw 26m which was the longest in the school at that time.”
“I remember Marina was also my English teacher and we had a nice bond. She always put me at ease and was always very friendly. By the time I ended my school career, I'd thrown 50.70m, which was a nice way to sign off our coach-athlete relationship before I moved on to university.”
Looking back at her first athletics competition, brought back fond memories for Viljoen. “It came the week after I first threw 26m in practice. Back then I did many athletics events such as the 400m, high jump and long jump. I was not so keen on the 400m and my 400m coach said I did not have to run anymore providing I threw over 35m in the javelin. That first school meeting I threw 36.92m.”
Viljoen's explained that her first international competition came 17 years ago.
“That came at the 1999 Pan-Pacific School Games, which were held in Sydney, Australia. I competed in the high jump where I think I jumped 1.75m for third or fourth. In the javelin, I threw 43m for fifth. I remember each athlete stayed with a family and I was so fortunate the family I stayed with were lovely. I had my own room and I got to use the jacuzzi and swimming pool. One of my fondest memories was getting to visit the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. It was great to be given the chance to compete internationally at the age of 16.”
Four years later Viljoen would go on to win her first international medal. “In 2003 I remember winning the bronze medal at the All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria and then about two weeks later winning the gold medal at the Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad. To visit India at age 20 was amazing. I remember travelling in the tuk-tuks and I remember the mass of people on the streets.” Her career, however, has not been without disappointment.
“During my career, I've had way more defeats than victories. The first big one I recall was not winning selection for the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka. That season I threw 58.39m to place fifth at the World University Games in Bangkok, and I felt I'd done enough to justify the selection. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. Thankfully, I overcome disappointments very quickly. Of course, I am upset at the time, but I've always worked quickly through them and looked to build myself new goals for the next year.”
African News Agency