Catching up with Sam

KNYSNA HOCKEY NEWS - Born and bred CX local Sam Mvimbi was a member of the SA men's hockey team that produced some phenomenal performances at this year's Olympic Games in Tokyo, which wrapped up on 8 August.

Having grown up between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna and playing provincial hockey for Eden in every high school age group, Mvimbi was the first hockey player from not only the CX region, but the entire Southern Cape, to make it to the Olympics.

He started in SA's first group stage game against Great Britain, but came off the bench in the remaining four group stage matches. This didn't stop Mvimbi from making an impact though, and in the final match against Canada he scored SA's fourth goal of the match and 16th at the Olympics.

With less than a minute to play it should have secured them the win, but SA conceded a goal in the dying moments to draw their last game 4-4 and finish 10th - tied for the best performance at an Olympics by an SA men's side.

Mvimbi's goal was not only important in the context of the game, but was one for the record books too. This being their 16th goal of the tournament, it made the Tokyo 2020 Olympics SA's most prolific games in terms of goal scoring - a record Mvimbi wasn't aware of.

"I had no idea that was the case, but knowing that now, it is such a cool record to be able to get," he said, speaking to KPH about his time in Tokyo. "Being able to score for your country on a stage such as the Olympics is an indescribable feeling. It was absolutely amazing, especially considering I thought I'd won the game for us."

Mvimbi also considers the goal to be his first at international level. "There've been times in the past where we were not sure whose goal it was, but this time there's no question that it's mine. So I definitely count it as my first."

Sam Mvimbi (left) in action for SA against Great Britain. Photo: International Hockey Federation

The men's team went into the tournament ranked 14th in the world, peaked at 10th during the Games, and finished in 12th after their draw with Canada. "We put in a lot of hard work, and we always wanted to compete well. We had a few goals set up for the games, and while we couldn't achieve them all, we are as a unit still very proud of our performance."

SA had the least experienced and fourth-youngest average men's squad age at the Olympics and Mvimbi (22) is expected to play a pivotal role in the future of SA hockey - a future that looks bright.

"Some of our most experienced players like Tim [Drummond] and Austin [Smith] definitely have a few more years and tournaments in them, and us youngsters will continue to learn immense amounts from them," he said. "But we are definitely excited and looking forward to what lies ahead. We're already turning our sights to the next Olympics to try and make the country proud once again."

In the meantime, Mvimbi has returned to SA and spent some time with his family before he made his way back to the University of Pretoria to continue with his degree in BAdmin, Public Management, and where he'll be continuing his hockey journey.

"A few of the guys at varsity have already been back in the gym and training to prepare for the USSA champs, so I'm just going to slot back in there and keep the ball rolling."

When it comes to the actual experience at the Olympics and within the Olympic Village where all the athletes stayed during the Olympics, Mvimbi had a blast. "It was amazing, truly. I could get food or anything I wanted any time of the day no matter what, so returning to the real world was a bit tough," he quipped.

"We didn't really mingle as much as we would've because of Covid-19, but I still got the chance to meet so many world-class athletes and make memories I'll never forget."

Sam Mvimbi (centre) exploring the Olympic Village in Tokyo.