By Razeen Gutta
Jo-Ane van Dyk surprised many as she won silver on the final weekend of the Paris Olympics.
On the third of her allocated six attempts, the javelin thrower achieved silver with a distance of 63.93 metres.
The 26-year-old brought home South Africa’s sixth medal overall (one gold, three silvers and two bronze); and said that despite dreaming it, she certainly did not expect it.
“I dreamt about it, but I didn’t expect it. I hoped for it and I’m still amazed. I know what the other girls are capable of; in throws it’s up until the last throw, so you can’t be sure of anything,” she told reporters.
“It was only when the fourth girl threw that I knew I was in the medals and I was like: ‘Woah! I have a medal!’ It was a crazy night, just seeing everyone in the crowd.”
“I haven’t seen my fiance cry, almost ever, he cried. I haven’t seen my father cry, except maybe once or twice, he cried. I’m just happy for our country and I’m happy for the team.”
The six medals achieved by the team is double when compared to what South Africa managed in Tokyo three years ago.
Pictured above: Jo-Ane van Dyk
Source: @mbali_ndela
