Cape Town - It must be in the genes, just like World tennis champions, Venus and Serena Williams, Cape Town has its very own Monique and Genevieve Lentz who are recognised both internationally and nationally for table tennis
Not only are the women successful in sports, but also in their careers.
Monique Lentz is a Commander in the South African Navy and plays table tennis for the South African National Defence Force.
This month, Monique made waves when she competed at the SANDF National Championships in Bloemfontein and walked off with a gold medal for the Women’s Singles and the Women’s Team Silver Medallist, Women’s Doubles Silver Medallist and Mixed Doubles Bronze Medallist.
The SANDF Championship was held in Bloemfontein from September 19 to 23 and had 60 members competing..
This was the first tournament that Monique participated in since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 36-year-old was selected by the SANDF to compete in the South African National Senior Table Tennis Championships which will take place in Durban this month.
Monique is ecstatic about her recent win and works hard: “it was my dream to win the title.”
Brigadier General Andries Mahapa said in a statement issued by the SANDF that Monique has been playing table tennis since she was a little girl.
They added that 12 years ago she joined the SANDF’s team.
“According to Commander Lentz, she started playing Table Tennis as a child with her siblings on their kitchen table and played for a short while at Boundary Table Tennis Club thereafter.
“In 2010 she then started playing for the South African Navy.
“She has recently participated in the SANDF Championship which was held in Bloemfontein. It was the first tournament since 2019, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she also participated in a few ‘unofficial games’.
“She has been selected by the SANDF to compete in the upcoming South African National Senior Table Tennis Championship which will be held in Durban, in October,” Mahapa said.
Monique's sister, Genevieve was the first African woman to be deputy referee at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for table tennis.
The event was held last year due to the global pandemic.
She is a lecturer, public relations officer and the Technical Convenor at Cape Town Table Tennis.
Genevieve is no stranger to international games and was once selected to umpire at the First Youth Olympics including the world Table Tennis Championships.
Genevieve said she hoped her journey could inspire other women.
“Be the best version of yourself in everything you do, whether it be work, sport, socially or your personal life, living your dreams and making your goals a reality is the essence of life.
“Never give up, irrespective of the outcome, your potential will in due time be recognised and appreciated,” she said.
Genevieve said the seed had been sown by their mother who helped to shape them into the professional, dedicated and beautiful women they are today.
“As a family we are extremely proud of Monique’s achievements, especially since the sport of Table Tennis is in our genes,” she added.
“I hope many women, especially women in the SANDF, will draw inspiration from her success by getting involved in sports.
“Her passion for Table Tennis was demonstrated by her latest accomplishment at the National SANDF Table Tennis Championships which was held in Bloemfontein recently, winning Gold in the Women's Finals, Silver in the Team Event, Silver in the Women's Doubles Event and Bronze in the Mixed Doubles Event.
‘I think it's a feather in my mom's hat.
“Her dedication and devotion to raising my siblings and I, shaped the successes we enjoy today,” she said.