FORMER world high jump king Jacques Freitag has returned to athletics, but this time as a coach.
Freitag has started the Tuks Junior High Jump Academy in partnership with the University of Pretoria.
"It's great to be back in athletics. I have not officially retired but I took a break to attend to family matters," said the lanky, pencil-slim Freitag. "I have decided to join forces with the University of Pretoria to start an academy exclusively for jumpers.
"It will officially start at the end of this month.
"The academy is for under-15 youngsters. We are going to teach them the basics of jumping as well as techniques so that they become world-class jumpers.
"I won't get rid of them once they reach the age of 15 as they will remain with us until we are satisfied that they are ready to conquer the world.
"I coach them once a week but we will start with a proper training programme in December. I'm happy to have been involved in something that I have always loved from childhood. It is also good for us as top athletes to plough back into the community," Freitag said.
Freitag was the first athlete to win gold medals at the IAAF World Championships in the senior division, juniors and in the youth category.
Long jumper Khotso "Crocodile" Mokoena, who has taken the baton from Freitag, said: "It's good to see Jacques back in the game coaching youngsters."
Freitag trains young jumpers
FORMER world high jump king Jacques Freitag has returned to athletics, but this time as a coach.
Freitag has started the Tuks Junior High Jump Academy in partnership with the University of Pretoria.
"It's great to be back in athletics. I have not officially retired but I took a break to attend to family matters," said the lanky, pencil-slim Freitag. "I have decided to join forces with the University of Pretoria to start an academy exclusively for jumpers.
"It will officially start at the end of this month.
"The academy is for under-15 youngsters. We are going to teach them the basics of jumping as well as techniques so that they become world-class jumpers.
"I won't get rid of them once they reach the age of 15 as they will remain with us until we are satisfied that they are ready to conquer the world.
"I coach them once a week but we will start with a proper training programme in December. I'm happy to have been involved in something that I have always loved from childhood. It is also good for us as top athletes to plough back into the community," Freitag said.
Freitag was the first athlete to win gold medals at the IAAF World Championships in the senior division, juniors and in the youth category.
Long jumper Khotso "Crocodile" Mokoena, who has taken the baton from Freitag, said: "It's good to see Jacques back in the game coaching youngsters."
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