South Africa Strikes Gold at the 30th Tug-of-War World Championships in Mossel Bay
South Africa’s athletes delivered an exceptional performance, claiming a total of 15 medals—including an impressive nine gold medals—at the 30th Tug-of-War World Championships Mossel Bay. Concluding this past weekend in Hartenbos, the prestigious international tournament featured top-tier national teams and clubs representing sixteen different countries.
Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, publicly congratulated the South African competitors for dominating on home soil. The event marked a triumphant return of the sport to the region, eight years after Cape Town hosted the Outdoor World Championships in 2018. If you keep up with our latest sports news, you will know this region has a rich history of hosting global athletic tournaments.
Highlights of the Tug-of-War World Championships Mossel Bay
To ensure the successful execution of the Tug-of-War World Championships Mossel Bay, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) invested R1.5 million. This funding followed two years of strategic planning and partnerships.
The investment aligns perfectly with the Western Cape Government’s broader R130 million three-year school sport strategy, designed to build strong athletic pathways from grassroots programs to elite international competitions. Cultivating local talent continues to be a major focus for South African development initiatives.
Medal Breakdown at the Tug-of-War World Championships Mossel Bay
The week-long championship kicked off on Wednesday, September 16, with the TWIF Open Club Championships, setting the stage for the main World Championships on September 18 and 19. Athletes battled across junior, under-23, and senior weight categories.
South Africa’s overall medal breakdown includes:
- World Open Club Championships: 5 Gold, 2 Silver
- World Championships (National Teams): 4 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
- Overall Tally: 9 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze
South African clubs showed incredible strength. Gold medals went to Hartenbos (U-23 Men 600kg), Goudini (U-23 Women 500kg), Drostdy A (Junior Men 560kg), Robertson High School (Junior Mixed 520kg), and Valsbaai A (U-23 Mixed 560kg). Clubs like Swellendam and Valsbaai B added silver to the national tally.
On the national stage, South Africa secured gold in the Junior Men 560kg, Under-23 Men 600kg, Under-23 Mixed 560kg, and Senior Men 600kg events. They further earned silver in the Junior Women 480kg and Senior Mixed 580kg divisions, alongside bronze in the Senior Men 680kg and Under-23 Women 500kg.
Global Recognition and TWIF Awards
Adding individual glory to the team successes, South Africa’s Kittie Terblanche was officially crowned the Female Outdoor Athlete of the Year by the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF), following a global public vote.
Leadership Praise and Future Legacy
The event captured massive digital attention, with Minister Mackenzie’s TikTok updates generating over half a million views and sparking widespread interest in joining the sport.
“What I saw this week was not just competition,” noted Minister Mackenzie. “I saw the professionalism of the athletes and officials, the commitment of the organizers, the pride of teams representing their countries, and the warmth of the entire tug-of-war community. To win fifteen medals against some of the world’s best on home soil is an outstanding achievement.”
During the closing ceremonies on September 19, TWIF President Dan McCarthy extended his gratitude to the Western Cape Government for their crucial financial backing.
South African Tug of War Federation President, Luther Anton Botha, echoed this sentiment, praising the athletes, officials, and volunteers. “Behind the success of this event stands an exceptional team of volunteers who have given their time, passion, and energy so generously. Their commitment reminds us that, together, we truly pull stronger.”
The 30th Tug-of-War World Championships Mossel Bay successfully cemented the Western Cape’s status as a premier destination for world-class sporting events, leaving a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire young athletes to step onto the world stage.
