John van Reenen
Encyclopedia
John van Reenen is a graphic artist and retired discus throw
er from South Africa
, who is best known for setting the world record
in the men's discus event in 1975.
where he was pursuing his art studies on a scholarship (one of five offered to him) based on his athletics prowess. Van Reenen studied Fine Art throughout his athletics career, specialising in etching
s.
In the 1970 season he twice broke the South African record whilst competing for WSU, but his major mark was in the spring of 1975, when on March 14, at a meet in Stellenbosch, he threw 68.48m to set a new world record. He later won the British 3A's championship that year. Ten years on he won the South African national championships in 1985, 1986 and 1987.
Van Reenan became an artist and joined the studio of Jan Vermeiren He lectured at the University of Stellenbosch his subject matter being Etchings. As an artist he found some success with his art having sold across the United States of America and throughout South Africa
.
Van Reenen was inducted into the South African Sports Hall of Fame in February 2009 for his World Record Discus Throw.
Discus throw
The discus throw is an event in track and field athletics competition, in which an athlete throws a heavy disc—called a discus—in an attempt to mark a farther distance than his or her competitors. It is an ancient sport, as evidenced by the 5th century BC Myron statue, Discobolus...
er from South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, who is best known for setting the world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
in the men's discus event in 1975.
Biography
John van Reenen was born on March 26, 1947 in South Africa. As an athlete, his international competitive exposure was limited by the ban on South Africa from international games, imposed due to the aparteid regime at the time. He managed to compete overseas via representing his university Washington State UniversityWashington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
where he was pursuing his art studies on a scholarship (one of five offered to him) based on his athletics prowess. Van Reenen studied Fine Art throughout his athletics career, specialising in etching
Etching
Etching is the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio in the metal...
s.
In the 1970 season he twice broke the South African record whilst competing for WSU, but his major mark was in the spring of 1975, when on March 14, at a meet in Stellenbosch, he threw 68.48m to set a new world record. He later won the British 3A's championship that year. Ten years on he won the South African national championships in 1985, 1986 and 1987.
Van Reenan became an artist and joined the studio of Jan Vermeiren He lectured at the University of Stellenbosch his subject matter being Etchings. As an artist he found some success with his art having sold across the United States of America and throughout South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Van Reenen was inducted into the South African Sports Hall of Fame in February 2009 for his World Record Discus Throw.
External links
- John van Reenen Online Art Gallery for further information about John van Reenen's athletics career and Art Career.