From Swimming, Body Building, Cycling, Running to Kettlebells… local athlete, Shawna Thunder, has done it all!
Updated: Feb 19, 2025
Shawna Thunder, who has represented South Africa in a number of sporting disciplines, has been so inspired by the physiotherapy and rehabilitation work Debbie Cameron has done with her and her son Corbin, a professional rugby player, that she has decided to do the Ironman 70.3 on 1 June 2025! “I am testing the ‘old’ body out, and so far, so good,” comments Shawna. The team at Debbie Cameron Physiotherapy will be routing for her! Both Shawna and Corbin are evidence that passion and determination go a long way in sport.
When it comes to sport, whatever Shawna touches turns to gold. When she talks about her athletic journey, she is ridiculously humble about her achievements, and always focuses on the fun, friends made, and appreciation for every discipline.
At Kloof High, Shawna loved swimming, netball, hockey and athletics. After school, she was ready to participate in the World Aerobics Gymnastics Champs, but South Africa was sanctioned, and that dream wasn’t fulfilled. Shawna just moved onto another discipline with the same unmatched enthusiasm. Body Building (drug-free division) was up next, and at the age of 24 she represented South Africa and competed in America. It was here that she fell pregnant, and her attention turned to kick boxing and teaching aerobics at Players Gym and Sharper Image, prior to the arrival of Virgin Active.
In 2004 she completed the Midmar Mile, and her brother-in-law said (jokingly) ‘you might as well do the 2005 Comrades Marathon’. With only three months of training left, Shawna did the Midlands Marathon, the last qualifier and completed the Ultimate Human Race in an incredible time of 9h45. That year was also her 10-year wedding anniversary, and her husband Rob bought them both bicycles to celebrate. I am sure he didn’t anticipate that two years later his wife would be representing South Africa in France where she came fifth, in her age group, in the MTB Cross Country category. Once again, when telling the story, Shawna focuses on her teammates Amy Mundy and Tania Raats, and the incredible opportunity.
On that note, Shawna says that her greatest experience was the Cape Epic in 2008, where she and her partner, Glynis Pretorius finished, 7th overall. A couple of weeks before the event, Glynis called to say her partner couldn’t make it and was Shawna keen to take her place? For a cyclist, this is the equivalent to winning the lottery!
Other than the Epic, Shawna also did Trans Baviaans and Sani2C Non-Stop (250kms off-road), amongst everything else that was on the cards – Karkloof Classic, Illovo Eston, Hill2Hill, Giant’s Castle…
2010 was the start of Shawna’s Triathlon era which reignited her love for swimming from school days. She competed in the Iron Man and loved it, and in 2012 got her KZN Colours for Triathlon. Sadly, she crashed her bike at the competition where she would have received her SA Colours for Triathlon.
After swim, run, cycle, Kettlebells were introduced to South Africa and like everything to do with strength and movement, Shawna was on it, completing the instructor’s course and coaching at Flux.
"At 55, Shawna is a force to be reckoned with and this same tenacity is evident in her focused and passionate children – Savanna, Kelton and Corbin" says Debbie.
Shona Thunder’s sporting journey shows just how much can be achieved by staying active, trying new disciplines and constantly setting new challenges. From swimming, athletics and bodybuilding to cycling, running, triathlon and kettlebell training, she has represented South Africa in several sports and continued competing at a high level.
Her endurance achievements are particularly impressive. She completed the Comrades Marathon after only three months of preparation, later represented South Africa in mountain biking and finished seventh overall at the 2008 Cape Epic. She also competed in events such as Trans Baviaans, Sani2C, Ironman and various major cycling races.
What makes Shona’s story particularly interesting is her versatility. Swimming, cycling and running eventually came together through triathlon, while kettlebell training added…
Shona Thunder’s story is a great example of how versatile an athlete can be when passion for sport comes first. From swimming and athletics to bodybuilding, cycling, running, triathlon and kettlebell training, she has competed across an impressive range of disciplines and continued challenging herself at every stage.
What stands out most about Shona’s journey is that she never treated one discipline as the final destination. Each new sport gave her another challenge, another community and another opportunity to improve. Her experience also shows how cycling, swimming and running can come together to create a completely different kind of endurance athlet
The article tells the inspiring story of South African athlete Shawna Thunder, who has competed in swimming, bodybuilding, kickboxing, running, mountain biking, triathlon, and kettlebells. She represented South Africa in several disciplines and achieved impressive results, including seventh place overall at the 2008 Cape Epic. Her journey shows how passion, discipline, and determination can help athletes succeed across different sports.
Shona Thunder’s sporting journey shows just how much can be achieved by staying active, trying new disciplines and constantly setting new challenges. From swimming, athletics and bodybuilding to cycling, running, triathlon and kettlebell training, she has represented South Africa in several sports and continued competing at a high level.
Her endurance achievements are particularly impressive. She completed the Comrades Marathon after only three months of preparation, later represented South Africa in mountain biking and finished seventh overall at the 2008 Cape Epic. She also competed in events such as Trans Baviaans, Sani2C, Ironman and various major cycling races.
What makes Shona’s story particularly interesting is her versatility. Swimming, cycling and running eventually came together through triathlon, while kettlebell training added…
Shona Thunder’s story is a great example of how versatile an athlete can be when passion for sport comes first. From swimming and athletics to bodybuilding, cycling, running, triathlon and kettlebell training, she has competed across an impressive range of disciplines and continued challenging herself at every stage.
What stands out most about Shona’s journey is that she never treated one discipline as the final destination. Each new sport gave her another challenge, another community and another opportunity to improve. Her experience also shows how cycling, swimming and running can come together to create a completely different kind of endurance athlete.
At 55, Shona continues to train and take on new challenges, proving that age does not have to put…