In two days, Team SA has scored two gold medals at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games! Here, our top young athletes and para-athletes are up against the world’s finest where 1000 competitors are gunning for victory.
Global (07 August, 2023) — The 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago are off to an incredible start.
With a powerful line-up of 49 South African athletes and para-athletes in the prestigious mix, we knew soon after the roll call that this squad was one to watch.
In the first two days of the Games, Team SA has already bagged two gold wins; putting a knack for speed in the spotlight across disciplines.
The first gold for the Games was earned by 16-year-old junior cyclist Miles Liebenberg who clutched his victory on the day of the opening ceremony by three seconds.
Not only was this a massive early win for South Africa, but it was also the biggest win the young cyclist has had to date.
“I’m so happy,” said Liebenberg. “It’s an absolutely unbelievable experience in winning this. It’s definitely the biggest race I’ve ever won and it’s also only the second time I’ve won on the road. It really means a lot to me and I hope I’ve made a lot of people proud.”—Miles Liebenberg.
By Day 2, South Africa had another gold win to celebrate; this time exchanging road racing for competitive waters.
16-year-old Jessica Thompson won golf for the women’s 50m butterfly and broke a Commonwealth Youth Games Record previously held by another South African super swimmer, Erin Gallagher.
This is only Thompson’s second international competition.
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“Swimming the final was all about winning a medal, finding the spot where I could break the record again, which I did. It was an extremely proud moment for me, my family and my country.”—Jessica Thomson.
All the action continues until 11 August.
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