Mpumelelo Mhlongo bagged the bronze medal in the men’s T64 200m 2024 Paralympic final last night, even though he crossed the finish line fourth.

Mhlongo ran a scorching 22.62s, originally placing him fourth. Minutes later, he was elevated to third as German Feliz Strenge, who crossed the line second, was disqualified for stepping out of his lane. A protest followed, but it was unsuccessful and the result stood.

Mhlongo set a new T44 world record. He was the only T44 athlete in the higher category T64 race, competing against seven T64 athletes earlier yesterday when he finished first in his heat.

🥉 *Bronze for Mpumelelo Mhlongo!*

A remarkable effort in the Men’s 200m T64 Final secures him the bronze medal! 🌟🏅 Well done on a great race, Mpumelelo! 🇿🇦👏 #TeamSA #ForMyCountry #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/AZWK5JT4L1

— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) September 7, 2024

Mhlongo’s bronze medal took Team South Africa’s overall medal count to six – two golds and four bronzes.

🥉 𝔹𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕫𝕖 𝕄𝔼𝔻𝔸𝕃 𝔸𝕃𝔼ℝ𝕋 🥉#TeamSA #ForMyCountry #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/IDzS1IBfWf

— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) September 7, 2024

Sherman Guity Guity of Costa Rica won in 21.32s, with Levi Vloet of the Netherlands second in 22.47s.

Last Sunday, Mhlongo bagged South Africa’s first 2024 Paralympic Games gold medal in a blistering run in the men’s T44 100m.

South Africa’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony ran a season’s best time of 11.12s to beat Cuban Yamel Luis Vives Suares and Malaysian Eddy Bernard.

Still to watch

Louzanne Coetzee, the world record holder in the T12 marathon, took the streets and hills of Paris at 08:30 today. She aims to add to the bronze medal she won in the 1500m on Monday.

Louzanne Coetzee takes on the Women’s Marathon T12 at 8:30 AM! 🏃‍♀️🔥 Let’s show our support as she goes the distance for 🇿🇦! #TeamSA #ForMyCountry #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/HMvGOZSItW

— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) September 8, 2024