Jo-Ané van Dyk brought a sparkling end to Team SA’s Olympic track and field campaign, securing a silver medal in the javelin at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, 10 August, 2024.
Coming into the competition having thrown the 11th furthest throw of the season, few would have named the South African champion among the medal favourites. But she showed what she was capable of when throwing a personal best of 64.22m on her first attempt in qualifying on Wednesday, and then backed that up with a silver-medal winning performance on Saturday night.
World champion Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan claimed the gold with a first-round effort of 65.80m. Van Dyk’s third-round throw of 63.93m was the one that elevated her to second place – a position she then held onto for the remainder of the competition. Czechia’s Nikola Ogrodnikova took the bronze with a throw of 63.68m.
“It’s just amazing just making the final, and putting a medal to it it’s just unbelievable and it’s just crazy and I’m just so grateful.”
2024 Olympic Javelin Silver Medalist, Jo-Ané van Dyk
Van Dyk admitted she was surprised that her throw of 63.93m was enough to secure a medal.
“I am a little surprised. I was thinking that there’s going to be some girls coming through, throwing further. Definitely because most of them already threw much further in qualifying even, but it’s different out there on the field.
“Because of this fast track and everything, I thought the distances would be much higher, but like I always say, on the day literally anything can happen, it’s anyone’s game!
“I feel like this Olympics has been an Olympics for the underdogs so I’m very happy for that.”
The Potchefstroom-based athlete is coached by Terseus Liebenberg, the same coach who guided Sunette Viljoen to Olympic silver in Rio in 2016. Asked what he had said to her after she secured the medal on Saturday, Van Dyk reckoned:
“I don’t know, there weren’t many words, just tears. [He’s] just so proud of me. And I think for us both, it was a battle to be here, and it’s just amazing!”
Meanwhile, the women’s Olympic golf tournament wrapped up on Saturday with New Zealand’s Lydia Ko clinching the gold medal after carding a one-under 71 in the final round.
The former world number one slotted in a birdie on the final hole to win by two shots over silver medallist Esther Henseleit of Germany, with China’s Xiyu Lin taking the bronze.
South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai, who was lying in second spot after the first day, shot a final-round two-under par 70 to finish in joint 13th spot, seven shots off the winner.
Paula Reto’s final round of 72 – her best of the tournament – saw her finishing in joint 44th spot.
“I’m very happy with how I played today,” said Buhai afterwards. “I struck the ball great, obviously a few more putts could have dropped, I could have got myself close, but overall it’s been a fantastic week.
“I’m so proud to have represented South Africa. This tournament’s been amazing, the crowds have been amazing, one of the best experiences of my life.”
Ashleigh Buhai
South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai, who was lying in second spot after the first day, shot a final-round two-under par 70 to finish in joint 13th spot, seven shots off the winner
Buhai was especially please with her tournament considering she’s just come back from injury.
“I think the fact also that I only got golf clubs late Tuesday, didn’t even play a practice round, and coming off a six-week break due to breaking my toe… I’m very proud of how I played this week, and hopefully flew the flag high and represented South Africa well,” added the 2022 British Open champion.
Team South Africa’s Women’s Contingent and Paris 2024 Broadcast Updates
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Saturday, 27 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Sunday, 28 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Monday, 29 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Tuesday, 30 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Wednesday, 31 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Thursday, 1 August, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Friday, 2 August, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Saturday, 3 August, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Sunday, 4 August, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Monday, 5 August, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Tuesday, 6 August, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Wednesday, 7 August, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Thursday, 8 August, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Friday, 9 August, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Saturday, 10 August, 2024
Golf
Women’s Individual Stroke Play Final Round
T13th 285 Ashleigh Buhai 68, 73, 74, 70 (3-under)
T44th 299 Paula Reto 78, 73, 76, 72 (11-over)
Athletics
Javelin Final – SILVER! Jo-Ané van Dyk throws a distance of 63.93m to take second place
Schedule of Events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday, 11 August, 2024
Athletics
08:00am: Athletics Women’s Marathon
Cian Oldknow
Irvette van Zyl
Gerda Steyn
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Jo-Ané van Dyk brought a sparkling end to Team SA’s Olympic track and field campaign, securing a silver medal in the javelin at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, 10 August, 2024. Photos: Roger Sedres / TeamSA
Photo 2 Caption: World champion Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan claimed the gold with a first-round effort of 65.80m. Photo: Roger Sedres / TeamSA
Photo 3 Caption: Van Dyk is coached by Terseus Liebenberg, the same coach who guided Sunette Viljoen to Olympic silver in Rio in 2016. Photo: Roger Sedres / TeamSA
Photo 4 Caption: Ashleigh Buhai shot a final-round two-under par 70 to finish in joint 13th spot, saying: “One of the best experiences of my life”. Photo: Roger Sedres / Team SA
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