INSPIRATIONAL Durban paralympic athlete, Tyrone Pillay once again showed what believing in yourself and working hard can do at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) track and field meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last night.
The local star not only won the gold medal in the F42 category for shot put, but achieved his ultimate goal. “Breaking a personal best would be great but the ultimate would be to compete at my best and be competitive. If my mind can conceive and my heart can believe, I know I can achieve it,” he told Berea Mail before competing.
Pillay said he was proud to report that he took the gold medal with a new personal best of of 13,49m.
Such excitement and honour at this moment in time. Thanks to all who have supported me and believed in me. Only upwards from here. Hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard.
His elation could be seen in his celebratory tweet below:
Proud to report back that I took the gold medal with a new Pb of 13,49m. @teamsa16 @PUMASouthAfrica @PeptoSport pic.twitter.com/Uxm1XZrD8G
— Tyrone Pillay (@pillaytyrone) May 20, 2016
“Every opportunity for me to wear the green and gold is always an honour so I love every opportunity,” he said.
Speaking to the young people who hope to be future althletes, Tyrone said, “Don’t ever stop believing and always work hard. This event has a dual purpose as it prepared me for the conditions in Rio leading up to the Paralympics and it’s my first international competition for the year,” he added.
Check out more about Tyrone and his community work with Jumping Kids and his Step Up 500 Challenge
