Official: Daniel Katzav to lead SA weightlifters at African Youth Games

The 32-year-old lodged his application several weeks ago and, with its approval, now finds himself heading into a surprisingly busy festive period. 

Katzav, who will also compete at the national championships in Gauteng at the end of November, told SABC Sport the appointment is another meaningful milestone in his growing coaching career. 

"I've been chosen as the SA coach to go with the youth athletes to the African Youth Games, from 10-20 December, which is going to be an excellent opportunity for them to see and for me to help them along their journey," said Katzav.

"For me, it's just strengthening my international relationships with some of the other coaches there and some of the other officials on the international side.

"For the youth, it's a great opportunity for them to experience what it's like on the international stage, for the two athletes going, it's their first time overseas, so it will be a great opportunity for them.

"And I definitely feel the African Games itself is not just weightlifting, there are other sports as well, so it's a great showing of South African youth athletes across the board from different sports."

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Katzav has now fully recovered from a foot injury and says he’s been putting in the work ahead of the lifting competition in two weeks’ time – before jetting off to Angola. 

"Entries close today, 14 November, which is the last day for people to enter the competition, and from here we have two weeks [to prepare]," he added.

"I feel a lot more confident in my lifting, it's feeling a lot better, so I feel like I'm going to give it a good push on the day."