This year marks the beginning of the next phase in the life of Team SA speed climber, Joshua Bruyns. He completed his studies July and recently competed in Chengdu, China, at The World Games. After his record setting campaign in China, Bruyns reflected on the event and spoke to Mark Lemke about the exciting future at his doorstep.
The 22-year-old competed in his debut Olympics in Paris last year and The World Games provided another first for the talented climber. “I had never competed in the speed relay before. I really enjoyed it because climbing is normally a solo sport, but the relay gave me a chance to compete with a teammate and we did very well.”
He teamed up with John-David Muller, the second-highest ranked sport climber in South Africa behind only Bruyns himself. The pair were excellent together, setting the African record time in their qualifying. They went on to face the team from China who had become world record holders with their qualification performance.
Falling short to the home favourites is no smear on the campaign of the South African stars and Bruyns shared his delight with the performance. “I was very happy with our pace and the record we set is now a target to chase. Relay is new to the sport and it is not yet in the Olympics, but I would like to continue competing in the event and hopefully the 2032 Games will feature it.”
The talented South African is not relying on relay to feature in the Olympics again. He is now preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Games as he begins his new chapter in the job market.
“Qualification for LA is in 2027 and it feels like it is rapidly approaching. Next year will be a big year in training, trying to build momentum towards that qualification and carry that through to a potential medal in the main event.
“I am starting my new job in September which is going to bring challenges. I will need to start finding a balance between that work and the intense training plan next year. It might be tough but I am so excited for my climbing and my new job.”
Bruyns lives in London with his mom and finished his economics degree at Warwick University in July and will be beginning his career as a tax consultant at a firm in the heart of the English capital.
The Team SA star is nothing but excited for his future. Outside of work and climbing, he finds joy in watching rugby, siding with the Springboks when they face England, and football, supporting the Club World Cup champions, Chelsea. Bruyns will continue to apply himself in all areas of his life and aims to add to Team South Africa’s medal tally at the 2028 Olympics.
