Cape Town, South Africa – Reuben Jansen van Rensburg, a 21-year-old natural Strongman athlete from South Africa, has been overwhelmed by the generous support of the community in his quest to compete in the Natural Strongman Worlds in Galway, Ireland, on 24 and 25 August 2024. His Back a Buddy campaign exceeded all expectations, raising a remarkable R 77,268. Reuben extends his immense gratitude and appreciation to everyone who contributed to making this dream possible.

With the raised funds, Reuben is well on track with his preparations, practicing specific events for the competition. He feels fit, strong and excited, with his head fully in the game. The additional funds have also allowed him to acquire specialized equipment that he initially planned to do without, further enhancing his training regimen.

Visa Crisis: A New Challenge

However, there is an urgent and unforeseen problem. Recently, Ireland declared that South African citizens now require a visa to enter the country. This sudden change has placed Reuben in a crisis, as the application process for a Sport/Tournament Visa typically takes 8 to 10 weeks to approve. With his flights already booked, he must depart on Saturday, 17 August, leaving only three weeks to secure the necessary visa.

Call to Action: Urgent Appeal for Support

We appeal to the public, officials and anyone who might be able to assist in expediting the visa approval process. It would be a tragic setback if Reuben’s opportunity to represent South Africa on the world stage fell through due to this sudden change in visa requirements.

Thankfully, the additional funds raised through the Back a Buddy campaign can cover the sudden unexpected and added expenses related to the visa application. However, time is of the essence and your support is crucial.

Please share this press release far and wide to gather support and find someone who can assist with this urgent visa challenge. Reuben remains hopeful for a speedy resolution, allowing him to focus on his preparation without the added stress of visa uncertainties.

Gratitude and Hope

Once again, Reuben expresses his heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported him thus far. Your generosity and encouragement mean the world to him. With your help, we can ensure that he gets to Ireland to compete and make South Africa proud.

Thank you for your support and for spreading the word.

Media Contact:
Sinta Ebersohn
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+27 71 475 1167

About Reuben:

Reuben Jansen van Rensburg is a 21-year-old natural Strongman athlete from South Africa. Competing without the use of anabolic steroids or growth enhancers, he has achieved notable success in various competitions and is dedicated to becoming the 100% Natural Strongest Man in the world in the under 80kg division.