Collen Mahlalela will represent South Africa in the Paralympics in Paris.
The athlete has been training with Kwa-Thema Disability Sports Club since 2021. Mahlalela is originally from Masibekela in Mpumalanga.
“I used to play soccer before I was introduced to para-athletics by coach Pupu Mohlaba,” Mahlalela explained.
He began running the 100m and 200m before moving to the 400m. Mahlalela finished his first 400m race in 52 seconds in Bloemfontein in November 2023.
He was the Sportsman of the Year with Disability at the 2022 Mpumalanga Sports Awards. Early this year, he competed in the 400m race in Grand Prix in Dubai, where he was second.
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He then competed in the nationals in Bloemfontein, where he won first position. Mahlalela then participated in the World Championships in Japan in May.
During the World Championships, he won second position in the 400m, qualifying for the Paralympics in Paris.
Mahlalela explained his challenge was obtaining sponsorship to be classified.
“I approached Inkosi Mandla Mlambo II from Mpumalanga Embuzini who assisted me to go to Dubai but I am still in need of sponsorship opportunities,” he said.
He expressed his happiness about representing South Africa, stating it would be his first time competing in the Paralympics.
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