Our outstanding student athlete, Jason Visser, is gearing up to showcase his skills at the Junior African Championship in Cairo from March 1st to 7th, 2024. Jason's journey to this prestigious event comes after securing a bronze medal last year in the team epee event.

What sets Jason apart is not only his prowess on the fencing strip but also his leadership qualities and commitment. Selected as the captain of the team, Jason demonstrates exemplary leadership both in sports and academics. With a remarkable world ranking of 54th for junior epee and 86th for junior foil in the 2023 season, along with securing a 3rd place national ranking in both disciplines after the Free State Open, Jason's achievements speak volumes about his dedication and skill in the sport.

In the heat of the fencing match, Jason displays unralled focus and skill, poised for victory

Beyond his athletic achievements, Jason is actively involved in serving our university community. As the Chairperson of House Sport Science, he exemplifies his commitment to representing and supporting his fellow students. Currently in his second year of study pursuing a BSportSci degree, Jason balances his academic pursuits with his passion for fencing seamlessly.

Furthermore, Jason actively participates in the STARS mentorship programme, where he serves as the mentor for two first-year BSportSci students.

In addition, Jason was a member of the winning team, Heartbeat Heroes, in last year's SimUPWars competition. SimUPWars is a rigorous clinical performance competition that challenges transdisciplinary teams to demonstrate their clinical knowledge, skills, and teamwork capabilities using healthcare simulation technologies and processes. Jason's enthusiasm for the competition is palpable as he eagerly anticipates another opportunity to showcase his skills and teamwork in this year's event.

Moreover, Jason's contribution extends beyond his own fencing journey. As an assistant coach for TuksFencing, he mentors and inspires future generations of fencers, sharing his passion and knowledge for the sport.

“I am sincerely grateful for the opportunities that I have had to excel in both my academic and athletic pursuits”, said Jason in reflecting on his achievements.

“The unwavering support from the University of Pretoria community humbles me and I am motivated to continue representing excellence both on and off the fencing piste”.

As Jason embarks on this remarkable journey to represent South Africa at the Junior African Championship, we extend our heartfelt wishes for his success. His dedication, leadership, and