04/07/2025
Rustenburg’s Timothy Meuwsen shines at African Open
Rustenburg – In a stunning show of resilience, determination, and heart, Rustenburg’s very own Timothy Onkgopole Meuwsen has once again proven that champions are not only born — they’re built.
Competing at the prestigious African Open Judo competition, hosted for the very first time in South Africa from 26-27 June 2025, Timothy brought the entire crowd to its feet as he fought — quite literally — through pain and into history.
Fighting in the final against New Zealand’s Maarten De Ridder, the stakes were high. In the first minute, Timothy sustained a knee injury. Yet, driven by the cheers of an electric crowd and the burning desire to make his country and hometown proud, he pressed on. The match stretched into a gruelling 13-minute golden score overtime — every second packed with tension, every movement a test of will… And then, to thunderous applause, Timothy took gold.
This latest victory sees him climb from 85th to 72nd in the world rankings in his weight division, solidifying his place as the highest-ranked male Judoka in South Africa.
But this gold medal is more than just a win — it’s a symbol of perseverance. Behind Timothy’s solo performance on the mat lies a dedicated village of coaches, teammates, and supporters who ensure no day passes without hours of sweat and discipline. Between six to eight hours of daily training, Timothy continues to chase his dream: qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games.
A proud alumnus of Bergsig Academy and the University of Pretoria, he now trains at the Tuks High Performance Centre. Yet, despite his elite level, funding remains a constant challenge. Speaking in a recent interview on 5FM’s Champions Blueprint podcast, Timothy highlighted the lack of support for Judoka in South Africa — urging potential sponsors to come forward and invest in homegrown talent.
“Judo is not just about winning, but about personal growth, respect and self-improvement,” said Dr Thembani Hlasho, president of Judo South Africa.
Photo 1: Timothy Meuwsen – Rustenburg’s golden warrior on the mat.
Photo 2: Celebrating excellence; from left; minister Atsushi Kuwabara (Embassy of Japan), Maarten de Ridder (New Zealand), Timothy Meuwsen (South Africa), Fetra Ranaivoarisoa (Madagascar), Yohane Jessie Ngae (Cameroon), and Dr Thembani Hlasho, President of Judo South Africa.
Extracted from Platinum Weekly newspaper - July 2025 Issue 1