Van Schalkwyk Claims Bronze at World University Games

Rhine-Ruhr, Germany – July 26, 2025
South Africa’s Jana Van Schalkwyk added to the country’s growing medal tally at the 2025 FISU World University Games last night by winning bronze in the women’s javelin final, pushing Team South Africa’s total to 17 medals ahead of the final day of competition.

Competing in cool evening conditions, Van Schalkwyk produced her best throw of the night—56.73 metres—on her third attempt, which instantly moved her into podium position. She had opened the competition with a solid 51.73m, followed by a no-throw, before finding her rhythm on her third attempt to secure her place among the top three.

This medal marks another consistent showing from the currently United States University-based athlete, who has delivered strong results over the past two years. Van Schalkwyk also claimed bronze at the previous edition of the University Games in Chengdu, China (2023). In 2024, she added to her international credentials by winning silver at the African Games in Accra, Ghana, and silver again at the African Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon.

With the World Athletics Championships taking place later this year in Japan, Van Schalkwyk appears well-positioned for continued growth in her senior career. At 23 years old, she is entering what could be her most competitive years, and the Olympic Games will likely be a key long-term target over the next four to six years.

Her medal is the ninth for South Africa in athletics at these Games, with the remaining eight medals coming from swimming—demonstrating the strength of Team South Africa across both track and field and in the pool.

As the Games draw to a close, South Africa still has four medal opportunities on the final day of competition: the men’s pole vault, women’s 4x400m relay, men’s 4x100m relay, and the women’s pair final in rowing.