Jana van Schalkwyk

Jana van Schalkwyk
Jana van Schalkwyk at the 2023 African Games
Personal information
NationalitySouth African
Born (2001-03-07) 7 March 2001
EducationStellenbosch University
Sport
SportAthletics
Event
Javelin throw
Achievements and titles
Personal bestsJavelin: 57.64m (Accra, 2024)
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing  South Africa
African Games
Silver medal – second place2023 AccraJavelin throw
African Championships
Silver medal – second place2024 DoualaJavelin throw
Bronze medal – third place2022 Saint PierreJavelin throw
Bronze medal – third place2026 AccraJavelin throw
Summer World University Games
Bronze medal – third place2021 ChengduJavelin throw
Bronze medal – third place2025 BochumJavelin throw

Jana van Schalkwyk (born 7 March 2001) is a South African javelin thrower. She was a silver medalist at the 2023 African Games, and is a two-time medalist representing South Africa the African Championships in Athletics and a two-time medalist at the Summer World University Games.[1]

Early life

Van Schalkwyk grew up in the town of Melkbosstrand attended Paarl Gymnasium in the Western Cape of South Africa. She started javelin at 13 years-old and broke the school age-group record with her second throw while competing barefoot.[2] She graduated from Stellenbosch University with a Bachelor of Communications in Management Science, later also studying at University of California, Los Angeles in the United States.[2][3]

Career

She was African Championships bronze medallist in June 2022 in St Pierre, Mauritius with a throw of 54.49 metres, finishing behind her compatriots Jo-Ané du Plessis and Mckyla van der Westhuizen in a South African sweep of the medals.[4][5][6]

In April 2023, she increased her personal best to 55.75 in Potchefstroom.[7] She increased her personal best to 57.38 metres in Nyíregyháza in June 2023.[8] She was a bronze medalist at the World University Games in August 2023 with a 57.45m personal best throw.[9][10]

She was a silver medalist at the 2023 African Games in March 2024 in Accra with a throw of 57.64m.[11] The following year, van Schalkwyk represented South Africa and won the silver medal at the 2024 African Championships in Douala, Cameroon.[12]

In August 2025, van Schalkwyk secured a second medal at the FISU Games with a bronze medal that the 2025 Summer World University Games in Bochum, Germany.[3]

In April 2026, she won the javelin title at the South African Championships in Stellenbosch.[13] The following month, she won the bronze medal in the javelin at the 2026 African Championships in Athletics in Accra.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Jana van Schalkwyk". World Athletics. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Humble beginnings for Maties' barefoot javelin sensation". Sport.sun. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  3. 1 2 "To LA from SA, and back again?". FISU. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  4. ↑ "Jo-Ane van Dyk leads SA to javelin clean sweep at African championships". Dispatchlive.co.za. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "NWU javelin star takes African crown in Mauritius". Citizen. 11 June 2022.
  6. ↑ "African Athletics Championships". World Athletics. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  7. ↑ Hare, Rudene (27 April 2023). "TAMZIN THOMAS GRABS 100M TITLE AT ASA GRAND PRIX 3". gsport.za. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "Hungarian GP Series - Nyíregyháza". World Athletics. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  9. ↑ "Women's Javelin Throw Final" (PDF). 2021chengdu.com. 3 August 2023. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  10. ↑ Hare, Rudene (3 August 2023). "STERLING START AS MARLIE VILJOEN GRABS SA'S FIRST GOLD AT FISU GAMES IN CHINA". gsport.co.za. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  11. ↑ "AFRICAN GAMES RECORD AS JO-ANN VAN DYK WINS GOLD IN THE JAVELIN". gsport.za. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  12. ↑ "Van Schalkwyk adding to SA's javelin depth". teamsa.co.za. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  13. ↑ "Consistent Dambile confirms his 200m dominance". Teamsa.co.za. 19 April 2026. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  14. ↑ "Relay breakthroughs and surprise performances at African Championships in Accra". World Athletics. 17 May 2026. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
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