A female police Captain from Worcester has been crowned as an international combat rifle champion.
Captain Ronelle Alberts not only beat some of her male counterparts in the National Combat Rifle competition in Bloemfontein last week, but she also went on to win a gold medal at an international championship held in the Netherlands this past weekend.
She was part of the 2022 Protea team and the only woman on the team.
Alberts, who is a sector manager in Worcester, has 18 years of experience in combat shooting.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile has commended Captain Alberts for being an ambassador for the South African police Service after her remarkable achievement.
During the week of Monday 08 August until Saturday 13 August 2022, De Brug rifle range in Bloemfontein played host to the National Combat Rifle Competition, which saw the inclusion of Alberts as a member of the national team, the first time a woman has been included in 10 years.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi says Alberts showed courage and determination to emerge victorious.
The contestants were exposed to extreme weather conditions and intense competition, where males and females were treated equally. The competition is marked by extreme testing of fitness levels, concentration, accuracy, comradery, and faith.
Swartbooi says Alberts stayed calm and focused throughout the strenuous competition she endured from her male counterparts and ensured that she obtained a good score, despite minor challenges that could have had an impact on the final results.
Her courage and dedication were rewarded when she was decorated with several medals which ultimately paved the way for her being the recipient of a gold medal for her participation and inclusion as a member of the Combat Rifle National team.
She experienced her first international competition on Saturday, 13 August 2022, where she emerged victoriously and secured gold after competing against the national team of the Netherlands.
