Paralympian Tyrone jets to Rio to do it for Durban

ALL eyes are on South Africa’s Paralympic team which jets off to Rio de Janiero this week, Durban golden boy, Tyrone Pillay is living the reality of a childhood dream to represent South Africa in the men’s shot put event.

Tyrone has never let his disability dictate his limits and only became a professional athlete eight years ago, working hard to become a South African champ. In March this year the inspirational sports star showed what believing in yourself and working hard can do at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) track and field meeting in Rio where he took gold.

He set his sight firmly on representing South Africa in the Paralympics for nearly a decade and earlier this month returned from an intensive 10-day trip to Denmark where he spent time training with friends in the Danish paralympic team.

This week Berea Mail caught the IT manager (his day job) after work in his last training session at Kings Park Athletics Stadium on Monday evening. “From the time I found out I was selected as part of TeamSA I was excited for about an hour and then realised I had to just get focused on my training and stick to the game plan. I’m sure the excitement will hit when I get out there for the opening ceremony,” he added.

Humbled by the prospect of representing his country at the Paralympics, Tyrone says he doesn’t participate for “medals, money or fame” “I do it to inspire and motivate able and disabled people to work hard at everything you do. You need to give it your all whether its career sport or even social sport.”

He attributes much of his success to his parents. “Without my parents (mum and late dad) I wouldn’t have achieved all that I have. They have supported me from the time I was born to the man I am today,”

Tyrone will have his mother and fianc’e in his corner at Rio for the first time. “My fiancé means the world to me and I will be ever grateful to her for always being there for me,”