South Africa Gets New Ladies Champion

[gsk8]

For the first time in 12 years, the Republic of South Africa has a new ladies champion. Jenna-Anne Buys dethroned twelve-time ladies champion Shirene Human, earning a trip to the World Championships as well as another...

More

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

The more we get international competitors, the more the sport will grow. Welcome South Africa, and stay with us Brazil and Mexico.

Joe

 

[Mathman]

I see that the new champion speaks a little Zulu. I wonder if there is any movement in South Africa to recruit and encourage children from the Zulu and Xhosa majorities to take up skating.

Mathman

 

[Ladskater]

Wow! Figure skating used to be mainly a North American and European past time - my goodness it's become global!

 

[JonnyCoop]

I think South Africa has actually had a program for decades, but due to the political situation were not allowed to compete internationally until about 92 or 93.

FUN FACT: A South African pairs team won the silver medal in Pairs at the Junior Worlds (before they were actually the Junior Worlds) in 1977. Tho technically they were 2nd out of 2 pairs; the Soviets, among others, left the event when they found out the South Africans were going to be there.

I'm always in favor of "up and coming" nations having success and I am looking forward to seeing the South Africans start to make at least a little progress internationally.