South Africa has pulled in an impressive 15 medals, including nine gold, at the 30th Tug-of-War World Championships in Hartenbos, Mossel Bay.

The championships wrapped up this past weekend, with national teams and clubs from 16 countries competing across junior, under-23 and senior weight categories.

The Western Cape hosted the global event eight years after Cape Town staged the Outdoor World Championships in 2018.

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport invested R1.5 million in the championships following two years of planning and partnership.

South Africa’s medal haul was made up of:

🏆 World Open Club Championships: Five gold and two silver medals.

🏆 World Championships – National Teams: Four gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Among the South African club gold medallists were Hartenbos, Goudini, Drostdy A, Robertson High School and Valsbaai A.

South Africa’s national teams also struck gold in the Junior Men 560kg, Under-23 Men 600kg, Under-23 Mixed 560kg and Senior Men 600kg categories.

There was more good news for Team South Africa, with Kittie Terblanche named TWIF Female Outdoor Athlete of the Year following a public vote.

Western Cape Sports MEC Ricardo Mackenzie congratulated the athletes, saying the competition showcased the professionalism, teamwork and determination of South African competitors.

“To win fifteen medals, including nine gold, against some of the world’s best on home soil is an outstanding achievement.”

The event has also helped put Mossel Bay and the Western Cape on the international sporting map, while introducing more people to a sport that often flies under the radar.

South African Tug-of-War Federation president Luther Anton Botha said the success was the result of dedication, teamwork and the efforts of the many volunteers behind the event.