Team SA is currently competing in the Deaflympics in Caxias Du Sol, Brazil, where a small squad is representing the country. “Most of our deaf swimmers retired after the 2017 Deaflympic Games or the 2019 World Deaf Swimming Championships. I was looking for development deaf athletes for these Games, which were supposed to be held last year but were postponed until 2022 because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” explains chef de mission and swimming manager Tadgh Slattery.
Team SA is being represented in three sports at the Games: swimming, athletics and golf.
Here we get to know a bit more about some of them.
Do you have any pre-event superstitions?
Aobakwe Mphahlele (athletics): No
Obakeng Tlhako (athletics): No
Cedric Touzard (golf): I’m not into superstition
Jay Jay Botha (golf): Yes I do have superstitions when it comes to golf. I prefer everything to be in order before I hit the first shot at the first hole. If one thing is missing, it’s like my whole world is crashing down.
What is your favourite app on your phone?
Mphahlele: Pes 2021
Tlhako: Instagram and YouTube
Touzard: Facebook and Instagram
Botha: Sadly, I do not have an favourite app
Where do you live in South Africa and is it your favourite city in the country?
Mphahlele: Soweto and Cape Town
Tlhako: Midrand and Cape Town
Touzard: I Iive in Cape Town. Yes, it’s a beautiful city
Botha: I no longer live in South Africa. I live in the USA but still represent South Africa wherever I go. I don’t have one favourite city, but if I had to choose it would be between Cape Town and Stellenbosch
Do you have a role model and if so, who is it?
Mphahlele: Yes, the UFC champion Israell Adesanya
Tlhako: Yes, Usain Bolt, the greatest athlete ever
Touzard: My role model is my mother, Claudette
Botha: My mother will always be my number one role model. She is also the one that had the most influence on my golfing career
What is your most memorable personal sporting moment?
Mphahlele: The SASA LSEN Nationals 2022 in Germiston
Tlhako: Taking part in the ASA competition in Tuks March 2022
Touzard: Twice winning the WDGC in 2002 and 2004
Botha: My top personal sport moment was at the opening ceremony at these Deaflympics. For years I have dreamt of representing South Africa. And it finally came true when I got to walk behind the South African flag
What is your most memorable other sporting moment?
Mphahlele: Wayne van Niekerk winning the gold medal in the 400m at the 2016 Olympics in Rio
Tlhako: Wayne van Niekerk when he broke the world record in winning gold at the 2016 Olympics
Touzard: I won five times in the DR Congo – the Open Golf Championship in Lubumbashi
Botha: My other big sporting moment comes to the moment of playing through motivation. It happened over 20 years ago. I had a injury whereby I almost lost a body part. I played three full rounds of golf. I earned the most prestigious award known as the Payne Stewart Award at the junior golf tournament in USA
In terms of your travels, what has been your favourite city and why?
Mphahlele: Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha). It was my first experience going out of my province for the national athletics championship
Tlhako: Brazil for these Deaflympics!
Touzard: My favourite city is Megève, France because of its beautiful landscape, beautiful wooden houses, golf course and food
Botha: My favourite city when I travel will always be New York City. That city truly never sleeps, there’s a lot to explore in such short time. And it’s feels like home to me
What are your sporting ambitions for the next 2 years?
Mphahlele: Representing my country in more international level competitions
Tlhako: Moving to USA in order to join an athletics club over there and develop my career
Touzard: I’m hoping to win my first senior championship at the WDGC in Australia
Botha: My ambition is to expand the SA deaf golf brand internationally by playing as many deaf golf tournaments overseas. This would include the upcoming World Deaf Golf Championship.
Which person has had the most influence on your career?
Mphahlele: My mother
Tlhako: My uncle, Thabo Seletisha
Touzard: My wife, Angelique