The first three Team SA athletes were in action at the Deaflympics in Tokyo on Monday.
Both were involved in the men’s 100m heats in track and field action. Mpumalanga athlete Karabo Moeletsi finished fourth in his heat in 11.56 sec to qualify for the semi-finals, while Obakeng Thlako placed sixth in his heat in 11.87 sec and did not progress to the semi-finals.
In the women’s 100m, Nikysha Pieters finished sixth in her heat in 13.77 and didn’t go through to the Last 16 semi-finals stage.
Team SA are competing in their ninth Deaflympics since their first appearance in 1993, in Sofia, Bulgaria. There are 14 Team SA athletes spread across four different sports in Tokyo.
Team SA’s squad at Tokyo 2025 is:
ATHLETICS
Men: Ronnie Shabalala, Karabo Moeletsi, Aobakwe Mphahlele, Obakeng Thlako
Women: Nikysha Pieters
Coach: Jackson Malindi
GOLF
Men: Charles Williams
Women: Gail Klichowicz
Coach: Albertus Louw
TABLE TENNIS
Women: Sinovuyo Tyulu, Thabisa Qhude
Coach: Nicolene Goliath
SWIMMING
Men: Terence Parkin, Mark Roach, Amkele Qamarana, James Willers
Women: Kate Allwood
Coach: Candice McKenzie
Support staff
Men: Brian Mkhie, Amos Mashele
Women: Christili Muller, Katlego Moje, Innocentia Nyathi