Over a hundred records tumbled at the South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled (SASAPD) National Championships at the Germiston Stadium in Ekurhuleni. It was a remarkable return for the country’s disabled athletes who continue to push back the boundaries.
In total, there were 97 South African records that fell, while 11 African records were broken by the 541 athletes who took part under the theme: ‘Start Your Impossible’. Sporting codes that were involved were Para-Athletics, Boccia, Goalball, CP Football, Judo, Powerlifting, and Para-Cycling, inclusive of athletes from eight African countries.
“We are delighted that after six decades, our athletes are still able to achieve their dreams, and set their targets for qualification in the 2024 Paralympics to be hosted by Paris,” said the president of SASAPD, Moekie Grobbelaar.
One of the athletes who shined brightly at the SASAPD National Championships was 16-year-old Simone Kruger, who broke the SA and African records in the Discus for Women F38 and threw a new PB in the Shotput Women F38 category.
“As a coach and a father, I am ecstatic about her performance but more about the character and passion she showed during the championships,” said Andries Kruger of her daughter’s performance.
Other field sport record-breakers were Mandeline Hoffman (F44 Discus), Mzinadoda Camba (F43 Javelin), Katinka Fox (F38 Javelin), Tyrone Pillay (F63 Discus), Kim Macdonald (F64 Long Jump), Fabian Michaels (F35 Discus), Louisa Mapayini (F42 Shotput) and Kerwin Noemdo (F46 Shotput).
Powerlifting saw three national records broken; the Northern Cape’s Bonolo Lizwe set a new mark in the deadlift at 176kg, and Eastern Cape’s Alulutho Makapela and Mbasa Qilingele benched 55kg and 83kg respectively. Adrian van Schalkwyk was named best junior lifter and Marshall Marsh the best senior lifter.
Liezel Gouws (pictured) was one of those who performed admirably. Her goal is a medal at the Paris Games in 2024. Her message for aspiring athletes: “With every race, be patient and trust the process”. Emile Burgers also had some inspiring words. “As a disabled athlete, don’t think of yourself as disabled. So when you compete, you need to measure yourself against abled-bodied athletes.”
Host province, Gauteng, topped the athletics medal table winning 97 medals, with Western Cape second with 26 medals.
#JumpingKidsSA beneficiary and learner at @KingEdVIISchool, #PuseletsoMabote (T63) flies in the long jump event @ToyotaSA @SASAPD National Championships 2022 #YearOfTalent #StartYourImpossible
📸 by @MartinBonzai pic.twitter.com/5UESOmvixk— Jumping Kids (@JumpingKidsSA) March 22, 2022
My 10th and final SASAPD National Championship. The place where every para athlete’s dreams starts.
Thank you for the inspiration and the memories over the years.
I look forward to supporting the next generation and current friends, in the future at these champs. #CWG2023 pic.twitter.com/NW8xEROpAh
— Charl du toit (@Charldutoit37) March 22, 2022
Kitso took to the track today, but he’s had to learn. Here’s one of his life lessons. “When I was younger and I sometimes came last, I used to just give up. But now, I know it’s not just about the position, it’s about the time.” #YearOfTalent #StartYourImpossible #SASAPD60 pic.twitter.com/yDYWPWFG5k
— 🟣 SASAPD 🟣 (@SASAPD) March 20, 2022