To each one of our Team South Africa Paralympic athletes – you have reminded us that with courage, determination and perseverance anything is possible! Thank you for inspiring us over the past weeks as we watched in wonder as you pushed the boundaries of what is possible, with awe-inspiring performances and results.
Many of you have set new records, defied expectations, and shattered barriers and in doing so, have inspired a nation and captivated the world!
Our medal winners in their respective classes and events, Mpumelelo Mhlongo (Men’s 100m – gold, and Men’s 400m – bronze), Simone Kruger (discuss – gold, and a Paralympic record), Louzanne Coetzee (Women’s 1500m – bronze), Pieter du Preez (Men’s individual cycling time trial – bronze), Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole (wheelchair tennis – bronze), have made us extremely proud. Well done all!
There were many other notable performances and achievements. In the Men’s 50m butterfly, Christian Sadie equalled the African record, and reached the final in all four of his events. In the Women’s 100m breaststroke, Alani Ferreira set a new African record and Kerwin Noemdo finished in fifth position in the shotput, while Hermanus Blom set a new African shotput record. Kat Swanepoel and Nathan Hendricks (who qualified for four final events) delivered new African records in the 50m backstroke and 200m individual medley events, respectively. Sheryl James and Liezel Gouws finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Women’s 400m final. Puseletso Mabote finished the Men’s 100m final in fifth position, ending the competition with his Paralympic record intact, and high jumper, Khumo Pitso achieved a new African record jump. In the Women’s marathon, Louzanne Coetzee finished in a credible seventh position.
