By MARK LEMKE in Luanda
The final day of competition in Angola at the 4th African Youth Games brought with it three medals for Team SA from a quiet and appreciative young weightlifter from a small town in Limpopo. Chanel Viviers has taken every moment in at the African Youth Games and held it close to her heart, as she will treasure the three medals that took Team SA to a final tally of 99 medals, six more than their previous record of 93 at the 2014 Games in Gaborone, and top of the medals table.
The 16-year-old shared the origin of her weightlifting, what she dreams to achieve, and the biggest influence on the life she loves to live. “My mom is everything to me. I went to the gym with her when I was about eight or nine,” said Viviers.
“The coach there said I should try weightlifting so I started with the bar, then 20kgs and I have been working my way up since.”
Viviers’ sport requires immense physical and mental training. In competitions such as the African Youth Games, you have a total of six lifts. No do-overs, nothing. If you cannot nail your lift, you best make way for the enormous plates to hit the ground.
The young blonde lifter from Modimolle, a town with an estimated 56000 residents, loves the adrenaline of the sport more than anything. “There is no feeling like making a weight you didn’t think you ever could. Chasing those personal bests and beating records is all I need to keep pursuing my dream.”
Her dream is big, and based on her performance in the Angolan capital, her dream is achievable. “I want to compete at the olympics. I think 2028 is too soon for me, but 2032 in Australia is what I am working towards and I know I can do it.”
Like all athletes, bad days happen and you cannot rely on your love for your sport to carry you through. Viviers does not have to worry about losing love or motivation, because when she needs to be lifted, her mother is always there.
She has a message to her mom before she heads home on Sunday.
“Mom, I love you and I miss you so much. I can’t wait to see you again. Thank you for always being my biggest supporter, my source of inspiration and motivation, and the best mom anyone could ever ask for.
Photo: Frennie Shivambu
