Top SA badminton player Johanita Scholtz relived to be selected for Paris Olympic Games

JOHANNESBURG – The South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC) has announced the second batch of athletes chosen for the Paris Olympic Games.

Among the athletes named is one of the highest-ranking African badminton players Johanita Scholtz.

Talking to Eyewitness News, Scholtz expressed relief on qualifying and being selected for Paris.

“The emotion I’m feeling is pure relief. This year was amazing but at the same time so stressful. So to see my name on the list just brought up joy and relief.”

In March, at the African Games in Ghana, the 24-year-old successfully defended her women’s singles badminton title, and she became a back-to-back African Games champion after coming from behind in the final set against Uganda’s Husina Kobugani.

She also won a bronze medal in the mixed doubles with Caden Kadora.

Africa's highest-ranked badminton player Scholtz continues to dominate

SA women's badminton team dominates at the All-Africa Men’s & Women’s Team Championships

"The win of the African Games has put me back in the top two in Africa. How it works, you have to be number 1 or 2 to qualify. So, by winning, it put me way ahead of the third player, giving me a very good chance to qualify for Paris 2024."

South Africa’s top badminton player said she was grateful to everyone involved in the sport on and off the court.

“To all my sponsors for making my goal possible. It all started with a dream and I never once thought I would be able to achieve it but thanks to my support system, they made me believe in myself and they're cheering me on that's driven me to reach my goal!

Touching on the sacrifices athletes need to make to compete at a high level, she emphasised the need to make time for loved ones and she does this by dedicating at least an hour every morning for purely video calls with loved ones.

"This gives me time to put in the effort into those around me and their lives. Without my family, this year wouldn't have been possible. They supported me through this journey and made me feel comfortable about giving everything for my dream. Then the times I'm home, I would try and do the things they want while still training but scheduling both family and sport in my days."

In February, she was part of the South African women’s badminton team that ended Mzansi’s 12-year wait in the All-Africa Men’s & Women’s Team Championships by coming from behind to defeat Uganda 3-2.

This sixth title is South Africa’s first since 2012 at the All-Africa Championships that took place in Cairo, Egypt from 12-18 February.

The athlete from the Free State won the 2021 Benin International Future Series and in 2022, she became the national champion in the women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles and represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

In 2019, Scholtz won gold in the women’s singles and doubles at the All-Africa Championships.