Sports

From Underdog to Podium: Colette Uys Throws Herself into History for Team SA

Published

2 months ago

July 25, 2025

Chiraag

Colette Uys, FISU bronze, Team South Africa, shot put athlete, Tuks student, 2025 FISU Games, women in sport, Joburg ETC

Colette Uys never imagined her first shot at the global stage would end on the podium. But that’s exactly what happened when the 25-year-old medicine student from the University of Pretoria (Tuks) clinched a bronze medal in shot put for Team South Africa at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.

With a powerful 17.34-metre throw, Uys stood tall, not just as a newcomer, but as a national inspiration.

“I was never number one in high school. The girls I competed with eventually stopped. I just kept going,” said Uys, radiating the kind of grit that turns late bloomers into legends.

A First-Time Stage, A Medal-Worthy Mindset

Unlike many elite athletes, Uys didn’t come up through the junior sporting circuit. She missed out on the World U20s, African Youth Games, and other early-career tournaments. This was her first time competing against international talent, and she made it count.

“I got injured two days before leaving,” she revealed. “I was aiming for 18 metres based on how training was going. But honestly, I’m just really happy with the bronze.”

Navigating a major event as a first-timer, qualifiers, finals, and cameras in your face was daunting. But Uys pushed through the nerves.

“It was hard to stay focused. You’re in the circle, trying to block it all out, then you see your face on the big screen. But I stayed in it mentally. That was the biggest challenge.”

Smashing Stereotypes in Women’s Sport

For Uys, this isn’t just about winning medals; it’s about breaking barriers, especially for women in strength-based sports.

“As a girl, I was told, ‘You’re big’ or ‘You’re stronger than the boys.’ People made it sound like a bad thing. But if you’re strong, if you’re good, keep doing what you love,” she said.

Her words struck a chord with South Africans online. Social media users praised her not only for her athletic performance but also for refusing to let others define her limits. One user on X wrote, “Colette Uys is proof that slow and steady wins medals. Love her message, power, perseverance, and passion.”

A Rising Star for South African Athletics

Uys’s story is now one of the standout narratives from South Africa’s campaign at the 2025 FISU Games. She may have entered the event as an underdog, but she left as a bronze medallist and a role model, especially for girls who don’t fit the mould and for athletes who don’t peak early.

Her journey reminds us that it’s not always about early victories or perfect paths. Sometimes, it’s about showing up, pushing through, and claiming your place, one powerful throw at a time.

As Team SA celebrates its wins, Colette Uys has thrown open a new chapter for South African athletics: one where determination outpaces expectation.