Edna Brand, Somerset West’s own masters race walking athlete, is back on home soil after an excellent performance in the World Masters Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, from August 13 to August 25.
The 72-year-old resident from Heritage Manor returned home with no less than four impressive medals.
An exhausted Ms Brand returned home this past Tuesday and says competing in this year’s championships was “next level”. “But I didn’t expect anything less than it being extremely tiring with taking part in the items, practising in-between, and still attempting to be a tourist; it was tiring, but good.”
Ms Brand’s achievements at the championships include winning for podium spots. She competed in the 10km race walk and won a bronze medal for her individual performance, and in the same item bagged a remarkable silver medal as part of the South African team of three athletes.
In the 20km race walk she won an individual bronze medal and as part of the team, she won a gold medal and she finished in fourth place in the 5 000m track race walking item.
One of the most challenging items this time around she says was the 20km race walk, especially as it was her first time competing in this item again after sustaining an injury last year.
She says this item was really difficult as it required a great deal of focus, she had to meticulous apply and 100% maintain the proper race walking technique throughout, while at the same time ensuring that she was pacing herself well over the required distance.
But, this local champion triumphed and not only bagged the bronze and gold team medal in this item, but boarded a flight back home she says, the day after competing in this gruelling walk.
“In total we were a team of 44 athletes and we were placed 14th on the medals list,” she says.
Although travelling was taxing with long flights, which included a long layover in Istanbul, she returned back home with a heart filled with joy and gratitude – proud to have been able to represent her country on the world stage. “I was so proud representing team SA and appreciated the support and vote of confidence from Somerset West and other regions,” she says.
Ms Brand acknowledged her South African teammates for their role in bagging the medals, saying: “It was a collective effort to win the silver and gold medals.”
