Liezel Gouws, the current world record holder in the 800m with a time of 2.41.70 under T37* in Paralympics is a veteran of two previous Paralympic games, Rio in 2016 and the 2020 Tokyo games – which were held in 2021 due to Covid-19. Liezel broke the record in 2015 in Johannesburg during the national championships.
Born and raised in Klerksdorp in the North-West where she went to Hoerskool Wesvalia, she now competes in the 400m and long jump. Lizel placed 7th in the 400m at the Rio Games and 5th in Tokyo.
Liezel said she started getting serious whilst in high school in 2012. She is grateful to the Bidvest Operation Excellence programme, which she said allowed her to focus on her athletics without worrying about where she will get support for her training.
“It allowed me to focus on my sport. Without the support of a programme like this, it would be difficult to make it”, she added.
She is a pharmacist by training but emphasized that her first love was to help identify and develop disabled athletes. She is currently based in Potchefstroom where she also trains.
Her personal best time in the 400m is 1.05.90.
Gouws suffered a stroke in 2004 which then led to her developing Cerebral Palsy. She said her recovery was a miracle which has allowed her to enjoy and excel in sport.
T37 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics in track and jump events. It includes people who have coordination impairments such as hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis.