UJ men’s and women’s rowing teams lauded for medal finishes

Date: Apr 12, 2022 | Rowing, Sport, Students Achievements

The men’s and women’s rowing teams of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) scooped four gold, five silver and eight bronze medals in the 2022 University Sport South Africa (USSA) rowing championships at Eikenhof Dam in Cape Town on Saturday, 09 April 2022. These performances put the UJ men’s and women’s rowing teams in first and second positions, respectively, on the medal standings. UJ finished in a silver medal position for overall points, ahead of the Universities of Cape Town, Fort Hare and Wits.

“To come second in overall points is an overwhelming feeling. Though we initially thought that we had done enough to come first, we are happy with our performances and results considering where we have come from last year post the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Lebone Mokheseng, UJ men’s rowing team captain.

He adds that the team faced challenges with the environment. “The conditions were very rough to produce productive results or training, but other than that everything else, from the management and transportation of the athletes to logistics, was amazing.”

The Rowing Club has and continues to compete in a number of rowing competitions in various parts of South Africa. The Club, under the tutelage of former Olympic Medalist Sizwe Ndlovu, has achieved remarkable success in the past few years despite being affected by the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic like any other sport.

This year alone, prior to the USSA championships, the UJ rowers have competed in two regattas at Victoria Lake in Germiston and the Buffalo in East London. The teams prepared for the USSA championships in Giyani.

In May, the UJ rowers will be participating in the Gauteng and South Africa championships.

The following are the UJ results in the USSA championships:

Women’s A Eight 3rd
Women’s B Eight Cancelled due to water conditions.
Women’s A4-: 4th
Women’s B4-: 3rd
Women’s 4+: 4th
Women’s 4+: 2nd
Women’s A2x : 2nd & 4th
Women’s B2x: 3rd & 4th
Women’s A 2- : 6th
Women’s A 1x: 3rd
Women’s 4x: 3rd
Men’s A 8x: 1st
Men’s B 8x: 2nd
Men’s A4-: 3rd and 4th
Men’s B4-: 3rd
Mens 4+: 1st and 3rd
Mens B4+: 1st
Mens A4x. 2^nd

Mens B4x : 2nd
Mens A1x: 1st, 3rd, 4th & 6th
Mens B 1x : Cancelled

Overall points
Women:
1st -TUKS
2nd – UJ
3rd – UCT
4th – UWC
5th – Wits
6th – Rhodes
7th – Stellenbosch
8th – Fort hare

Men:
1st – UJ
2nd – TUKS
3rd – UCT
4th – Fort Hare
5th – Wits
6th – Stellenbosch
7th – UWC
8th – Rhodes

Overall points:

1st TUKS
2nd UJ
3rd UCT
4th Fort Hare
5th Wits