Olympic gymnast graduates from UJ

Growing up as an athlete in a minority sport, Caitlin Rooskrantz has long understood the challenges of underrepresentation. 'That's something I became very passionate about over the years as a gymnast,' she explained. 'It's also why I chose to study marketing – so I can one day empower young athletes, in all kinds of sports, to grow their personal brands and create a meaningful presence.'
Read more: Gold Reef Rhythmic Gymnastics Club gymnasts strut their stuff on the international stage
Her decision to pursue a BCom in Marketing Management was driven by a desire to change how minority sports are perceived and supported. In May, that vision took a significant step forward, when Caitlin graduated from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). The moment was shared with her closest supporters – her parents and long-time coach, Ilse Pelser.
She reflected on how special the day was, as she marked the occasion in a cream dress with a bow detail, also wearing an Olympic pendant necklace in honour of her sporting journey. In 2024, Rooskrantz represented South Africa at the Paris Olympic Games, proudly serving as one of team SA's flag bearers during the opening ceremony.
'It was my first graduation, so, I didn't know what to expect,' she said. 'But having my parents, and Coach Ilse, there made it unforgettable. Coach Ilse has been with me for 15 years. Sharing that moment with her and my family was incredibly meaningful.' Rooskrantz admits that the past three years were some of the most challenging of her life, both academically and athletically, but they were also among the most rewarding.
Also read: These 3 Gold Reef Rhythmic Gymnastics Club gymnasts had a great 2024
A two-time Olympian, World Cup gold medalist, and African champion, Rooskrantz has always approached life with discipline. Since high school, she's juggled intense gym sessions – six days a week, four hours a day – with academic commitments. 'This routine started in high school and helped prepare me for the much heavier university workload.'
Time management was key. Rooskrantz would co-ordinate with her coach every semester, carefully planning her training and academic schedule. 'As a high-performing athlete, you can't cut training hours and expect the same results. You have to plan smartly and put in the work.'
Her typical day included an early two-hour gym session, a full day of university classes, followed by another three hours of training in the evening. She also worked closely with her lecturers to stay ahead of assignments and coursework – especially when travelling for competitions, using her free time, even while travelling, to catch up or get ahead on schoolwork. 'It was demanding, especially during the competition season, but with the right support, and a strong work ethic, I made it work.'
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
Related article: Newlands gymnasts find their way to the winners podium

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

TimesLIVE

8 hours ago

• TimesLIVE

Tshepo Tshite breaks 12-year-old SA 1,500m record in Paris

Tshepo Tshite has smashed the 12-year-old South African 1,500m record. The diminutive Olympian clocked 3 min 31.35 sec as he ended ninth at the Diamond League meet in Paris on Friday night, more than half-a-second quicker than Johan Cronje's effort from September 2013. The 28-year-old, who already holds the indoor 1,500m and mile records, was nearly four seconds behind winner Azeddine Habz of France, who pulled five other athletes below 3:30.00.

The South African

11 hours ago

• The South African

Adriaan Wildschutt plots his record-breaking path

Adriaan Wildschutt returned to Paris on Friday night for the first time since his debut Olympic Games last year with the intention of using the Diamond League experience as another step towards his goal of medalling at the World Championships in September. However, the 27-year-old Olympian had contemplated withdrawing from the race after waking up 'very sick' on Friday morning and didn't threaten his personal best in the 5 000m (12:55.02) which he set in March. He finished 14th in 13:28.67 in Paris, in a race won by Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha (12:47.84) and contained an array of season bests, personal bests and national records. 'I didn't want to give up before I even tried. It turns out, not the best decision on my end. But we learn and move on. Trust me when I say, we will be back way better and stronger,' he wrote on his social media. That debut Olympic campaign last August saw Adriaan Wildschutt feature in the fastest 10 000m in Olympic history. Thirteen of the finalists broke the previous Olympic record including Wildschutt who finished 10th in 26:50.64. Breaking records has become habit to the Florida State University MBA graduate. Since the beginning of 2023, he has lowered the national record in the 3 000m, 5 000m, and 10 000m a total of seven times combined. There is no sign of him relenting as he chases new personal bests in each event. Those PBs now happen to be NRs. 'It is always a nice feeling to win a race, but my focus is the time. My goal is to break South African records and continue to raise the bar. Each race has its own field and its own conditions so focusing on my time helps to keep me on track towards my goals without being hung up on one event going well or not. If I continue with my plan, I will keep seeing improvement which I hope will take me to where I want to be.' After the 10 000m Olympic final in Paris, Wildschutt told his Instagram followers that he went into the final with the idea to compete against the best in the world. His performance however, showed that he too belongs in that category. He is now preparing for the World Championships in Tokyo with that belief. 'I have felt a mental shift since then. I can feel it in the way I prepare and train for events. I am no longer trying to just compete. I am now one of those guys looking to win medals. All my training this year is for Tokyo. I will be up against the best yet again, so I know it will not be easy, but I believe I can achieve a medal.' The World Championships is not the final stage in Adriaan Wildschutt's history-seeking career. His focus will begin to shift towards more road races with the first being a half marathon (21km) in October. 'I have a half marathon planned for Valencia after the Worlds. I want to compete in at least one half marathon every year. The 2028 Olympics will be my last as a track runner because I want to transition to the road races for 2032.' South Africa's long-distance specialist loves the busy schedule he has created. He is dedicated to his training and competing and is constantly in pursuit of personal improvement. Off the track, he is based in Arizona, USA, and is currently working on his autobiography. He is also maintaining his Airbnb located in Stellenbosch and has recently begun a business with three partners in America. The busy lifestyle helps him keep a healthy balance between his running and his future that follows. That future is still distant. Now, the World Championships take centre stage, followed by a blend of track and road events, as well as the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. His work ethic, mindset and talent should see him continue his record-breaking habit during this time. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

The South African

12 hours ago

• The South African

SA teen Camden Schaper to London giants in R17 million deal

In a historic move for South African football, 13–year–old Camden Schaper has signed with Chelsea FC. This makes him one of the youngest and most expensive African talents to join a Premier League team of this magnitude. The deal, worth £700 000 (17 million ZAR), saw Chelsea beat out London rivals Manchester City for the skilled midfielder's John Hancock. Schaper started his career at SuperSport United. The young talent rose to prominence after captaining the club's U11 side during a tour of Spain in 2021. His acumen on the pitch drew in the watchful eye of European scouts, which led to Camden's tenure at Blackburn Rovers. He amazed in the U14 squad with a staggering 45 goals and 65 assists in a single season. Schaper's hallmarks are his creativity and vision, often playing as a number eight or 10. He has been touted as one of the most exciting prospects to be unearthed in South Africa in recent times. This move to Chelsea marks a significant moment, not only for his trajectory but for South African football and how this is perceived on the global stage. This deal has led to nationwide praise for Schaper in most footballing circles. Fans and pundits are in awe of this momentous milestone. The call for local clubs to sink more time and resources into local talents has been resounding. The risk of future talents slipping through the cracks needs to be reduced so as to see instances like these occur more frequently. Schaper still has a long way before playing football at the highest level. However, his efforts so far may very well inspire a new generation of rising talents. The youth academy at Chelsea is synonymous with nurturing young talent. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.