Mathilda du Plessis: A journey of passion, persistence and purpose in figure skating

For most competitive skaters, the journey begins not long after they can walk. But for Mathilda du Plessis, it started with a promise.

“I was a very stubborn child,” she laughs. “Even at birthday parties, I refused to skate. But I promised my best friend I’d try for her 11th birthday. From the moment I stepped on the ice, I fell in love. The freedom, the thrill, the wind in my hair, it became more than a sport. It became an obsession.”

Starting late in a sport, where most of the girls in her section started at ages between two and seven years old, is no small challenge. But Mathilda defied every expectation with quiet determination, tireless work ethic, and deep faith.

“I was told I wouldn’t make it because I started too late,” she says. “But I knew with hard work, and by the grace of God, I could. I had to prove it to myself and others.”

And she did. With relentless training (up to six hours a day, five days a week) she climbed the competitive ladder, qualifying for Nationals in singles, ice dance, and synchro.

Coach Konrad Giering of Evolution on Ice has watched her journey unfold.

“Mathilda stands out not just as a skater but as a person. She brings a calm, supportive energy to every session. She leads with quiet consistency and always uplifts those around her. Her journey proves that passion and persistence matter more than when you start.”

The road hasn’t been easy. In one defining moment, Mathilda qualified for High Performance by skating two clean programs back-to-back in a single test. This is something she once thought impossible.

“I had a complete meltdown before that test,” she recalls. “But the morning I stepped on the ice, I had this quiet peace. I just let the music carry me.”

Now a first-year psychology student, Mathilda has shifted her focus from singles skating to ice dance and synchro, disciplines she says feel less pressured and more expressive.

“I love the freedom of embodying different characters through music. And being part of a team, especially travelling overseas with Gauteng North’s synchro team, has been such a bonding experience. This year, I’m team captain and it’s teaching me so much about leadership.”

That leadership extends beyond the rink. As an athlete representative and TAP coach, she uplifts younger skaters with encouragement, focus, and positivity.

“I do my best to be a role model. I remind skaters that they’re competing against themselves. So, just focus on your own growth.”

She credits skating for shaping her off-ice life too.

“It’s taught me discipline, grit and time management. My motto has always been: ‘Your attitude determines your altitude’. I carry that with me into everything I do.”

Now giving back to the sport that shaped her, Mathilda finds joy in coaching.

“There’s nothing better than seeing a skater reach a goal they’ve worked so hard for. It’s a full-circle moment.”

Looking ahead, her goals are clear: passing her inter-gold and gold tests, qualifying for Nationals in her new Junior Ladies ice dance category and staying involved in coaching long-term.

“I’m most proud that I never gave up. I hope my story shows other skaters that it’s never too late to start. If you’re willing to put in the work, anything is possible.”