29/10/2026
Klerksdorp's Nicolas Greeve Crowned World Biathle Champion In Madeira
A Hoërskool Wesvalia learner has put Klerksdorp on the international sporting map after being crowned Under-17 Biathle World Champion in Madeira, on Tuesday, 27 October.
Andries Nicolas Greeve claimed the world title with an outstanding time of 8 minutes and 9.80 seconds, finishing 9.30 seconds ahead of Great Britain's Jack Mawdsley, with Georgia's Vakhtang Kankia taking bronze.
The demanding competition involved an 800-metre run, a 200-metre swim and another 800-metre run, all completed consecutively against the clock.
The young Klerksdorp athlete has been making his mark across several sporting disciplines for years - he has represented his school and province in swimming, athletics, cross-country, biathlon and triathlon.
In February this year, he won the North West Under-17 Triathlon Championship, also finishing first overall in the sprint division.
And just weeks before his world championship victory, he claimed bronze in the 3,000 metres at the Grey/Oranje athletics meeting in Bloemfontein.
His impressive swimming background includes multiple provincial podium finishes, while his running achievements stretch back to his earlier school years.
Nicolas also helped South Africa secure a bronze medal in the Under-17 boys' team classification in Madeira, alongside teammates Maynard Breet and Hermanus Steyn.
From local swimming pools and athletics tracks to the top of an international podium, Nicolas has given Klerksdorp and Hoërskool Wesvalia plenty to celebrate.
How about a big Klerksdorp congratulations for our newest world champion?
Image: South African Modern Pentathlon
