Shweni came in top of the log in the hand shearing category at the World Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling Championships in New Zealand last week. 

He won the All Nations Event and then ended first in the world championship event. He and his team-mate Bongani Joel also outperformed competitors from 36 participating countries to claim the team championship title for South Africa in the hand shearing category.

Herman Archer of the SA Sheep Shearing Federation, the body in charge of the sport of sheep shearing, says they are extremely proud. He says this type of performance is extremely important in growing the popularity of the sport among youngsters. “We have already seen over the last few years that youngsters competing are coming forward saying they want to participate in the next World Championships.

“The next World Championships are in France and I think there are already a few youngsters saying they want to be there. I want to go and show what they can do and compete and test their skills against other shearers, not only against other South Africans but on an international level.”

Archer says they hope to rally support to give the team a hero’s welcome when they arrive back at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday night.

OFM News