Shweni, who is the current World Blade Shearing Champion, is one of six South Africans participating in the World Sheep Shearing and Wool handling Championships underway in Southland, New Zealand, from February 8 to 11.

Team leader Izak Klopper confirmed to OFM News that Shweni took first position in the All Nations Shearing competition, which took place alongside the Championship itself. He has now also finished well in the lead in the opening round of the blade championship event.

Fellow blade shearer Bongani Joel has also finished in the top six.

South Africa is also represented in the machine category by Guillaume Strydom and Isaac Ndlongwane, with Elna Kitching and Thomas Caldo competing in the wool handling competition. Quinton Rogers and Dennis Johannes Louw are there as judges.

New Zealand is about 11 hours ahead of South Africa, which means the day four action should pick up again around 7pm local time. Klopper says we should know who the new World Blade Shearing Champion is by around lunchtime on Saturday, South African time.

You can see livestreaming of the event online at www. worldshearingchamps.com.

UPDATE: Blade shearing final (6 sheep – 3 second-shear, 3 longwool): Mayenseke Shweni (South Africa) 18min 7.101sec, 74.189pts, 1; Tony Dobbs (New Zealand) 19min 53.177sec, 75.992pts, 2; Phil Oldfield (New Zealand) 19min 59.129sec, 81.123pts, 3; Bongani Joel (South Africa) 21min 40.674sec, 84.034pts, 4; Ken French (Australia) 21min 41.956sec, 92.098pts, 5; Johnathon Dalla (Australia) 22min 10.601se, 93.697pts, 6. 

Mayenzeke Shweni defended his world champion sheep shearing title, congratulations!

OFM News