After taking up weightlifting to improve his CrossFit performance, 15-year-old James Venske has broken multiple South African records and earned national selection for the Youth and Junior Championships in Algeria.
Johannesburg, South Africa (06 August 2026) – Fifteen-year-old James Venske only took up weightlifting to improve his CrossFit performance. Less than a year later, he is breaking South African records and preparing to represent the country on the international stage.
The teenage athlete has been selected to compete at the Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Algeria from 5 to 13 October 2026, where he will wear the green and gold for the first time.
James’ rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Already crowned Africa’s Fittest Teen in CrossFit, he finished in the top 30 worldwide in the CrossFit Open for the 15–16 age group and topped both the South African Quarterfinals and Semifinals.
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What started as additional strength training quickly turned into a record-breaking journey. In just two official competitions, James has rewritten the South African record books each time he stepped onto the platform.
His latest outing saw him break the national youth and junior snatch record twice in a single day, before finishing with a 101kg lift to secure both the South African Youth and Junior Snatch records, as well as the overall total record.
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Despite earning national selection, James and his family now face another challenge familiar to many South African athletes: funding the trip themselves.
Travel, accommodation, competition costs and part of his coach’s expenses must all be covered privately before he can compete in Algeria.
Supporters are now being encouraged to help make that dream a reality. Whether through a financial contribution or simply by sharing his story, every bit of support will help get one of South Africa’s brightest young sporting talents to the world stage.
Those who would like to contribute to James’ journey can find his crowdfunding page here.
His progress and record-breaking performances can also be followed on Instagram.
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