Three-time Paralympian Liezel Gouws is one of the most experienced para-athletes in action at the 2026 Toyota SASAPD National Championships in Stellenbosch, and a demanding programme of competition awaits her at the Coetzenburg Stadium.
Gouws, a T37 para-athlete, will take on a full programme at Nationals, competing in the 100m, 200m and long jump events.
“I’m really excited heading into Nationals this weekend. I’ll be competing in the long jump as well as the 100m and 200m, so it’s a full programme for me,” she told the SASAPD website.
“This is also the last opportunity to improve my Commonwealth rankings, so there’s definitely extra motivation to perform and make it count.”
The 28-year-old, now a veteran having attented her first Paralympics in Rio 2016, said that her preparation leading into the championships has been focused and structured, with a strong emphasis on balancing the demands of sprinting and long jump.
“Ye, it (p[reparation) has gone really well. We’ve had a strong training block focusing on speed, power, and execution, especially balancing the sprint events with long jump. I’m feeling physically strong and mentally ready, which is exactly where I want to be going into such an important competition.
“The goal is to put together quality performances across all three events and, if everything comes together on the day, to improve my marks and secure my place (at the Commonwealth Games).”
She’s a proud ambassador for what the para-athlete movement means. “I always refer to the ajitos symbol whenever I’m doing a motivational speech. I love to bring it up, because I think that is the most important difference between the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. The ajitos resembles movement. As para athletes we have different struggles, and to overcome that struggle, to be able to move, we can really conquer anything.
“I’m really into para sport and para athletic development. Obviously I’m passionate about South Africa, but also my community and the province, I’m getting more and more involved in para-sport, para-athletic, disability sport, to create awareness and to develop it more.”