BORN with a left leg disability, South African para-shot put star, Tyrone Pillay, has risen in the international sporting arena and with the help of the KZN Sport and Recreation Department and the Elite Athlete Development Programme (EADP) he only sees himself becoming stronger, fitter and an even greater force to be reckoned at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil.
Pillay has been earmarked as a potential medal winner at the Paralympic Games next year, however, despite being an Operation Excellence athlete, Pillay has been grateful to be a part of the EADP as the programme has allowed him to overcome issues that previously hindered his progress.
“I am quite new to the EADP and it has been such a major help for me, even over this short period of time. After paying my own way for six years I have always appreciated any assistance that I have been given and now to have physios, bios and doctors on hand to help without the stress of paying for these services has been a huge help for me!”
Pillay is currently deep into an important block of training as he builds up towards the Paralympic Games qualifiers with a number of back-to-back events dominating his schedule until the end of the year.
“I have been working really hard and with All Africa Games coming up in the Congo followed by World Champs in Qatar in October, it is important that I build up perfectly and stay fresh.
“I am currently ranked first in Africa so I am confident that I can come back from the continental championships with a medal. It is a really busy time for me up until nationals next year,” he added.
It was a relatively swift rise to the international stage for Pillay who did not expect to be competing against the best in the world as early as he did. “My focus had always been on peaking at the 2016 Paralympic Games and now it’s all about ensuring I’m on top of my game in Rio next year,” an excited Pillay added.
