It has been another successful day for Team South Africa at the Tokyo Paralympics after para-cyclists Pieter du Preez won the country’s third gold medal in the men’s H1 cycling time trial.
South Africa’s latest GOLD medallist being congratulated after winning the men’s H1 time trial at Fuji Speedway#TeamSA #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/oAmVSdz4rf
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2020) August 31, 2021
According to Team SA, Du Preez came into the event with nothing but confidence, and although he competes in the road race on Wednesday, the time-trial is the one in which he’d stacked the cards.
” To blast my competitors the way I did today is nothing short of a miracle, I did this for all the real H1s and hopefully we will get more events for us in the Paris 2024 Paralympics. This medal is for everyone out there,” Du Preez said.
Du Preez who only had a Paralympic gold medal missing on his ever-growing, glittering CV also described his victory as a very special moment as this is what he dreamt of as a six-year-old.
“I can’t explain it … it’s very special,” he said as he was mobbed, still in his racing set-up, by well-wishers. “I was in tears after I crossed the line, but tonight I think I’m going to have an even bigger cry in my bed,” Du Preez indicated.
A Supa Gold for @supapiet ????
? Bartłomiej Zborowski #TeamSA#Paralympics pic.twitter.com/83S9PsseCF
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2020) August 31, 2021
Meanwhile, Para legend Ernst van Wyk had finished ninth in the men’s H5 time-trial final, but he was reserving his energy for Wednesday’s road race.
Cycling: Men’s time trial H5: Ernst van Dyk finished 9th in 44min 34.38sec#TeamSA #TokyoParalympics
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2020) August 31, 2021
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Picture: Twitter/ Team SA