Team SA was a force to be reckoned with at the Tokyo Paralympics, claiming seven medals consisting of four gold, one silver, two bronze and three world records.
This comes after South Africa’s Louzanne Coetzee won another medal at the Games, capturing the hearts of South Africans all around, including Sport Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
The 28-year-old had earlier won the silver medal in the women’s 1500m (T11) and she added to her collection with a sensational second half of the T12 marathon on the Tokyo streets on Sunday.
The bronze medal that Coetzee won, having finished in a world record time for her T11 classification in 3hr 11min 13sec, secured Team SA’s tally at seven for the Games. Coetzee shaved 1min 42sec off the previous T11 world marathon record.
The marathon runner, who was born blind, was also South Africa’s closing ceremony flag bearer in the Olympic Stadium on Sunday night.
Team SA’s medallists in Tokyo were Ntando Mahlangu (two golds), Pieter du Preez (gold), Anrune Weyers (gold), Coetzee (silver and bronze) and Sheryl James (bronze).
Congratulations Team SA! We are so proud!
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Picture: Team SA / Roger Sedres