Coetzee’s guide ‘thankful’ to play a role in Paralympic medal

One of a limited number of able-bodied athletes who are allowed to compete in the Paralympic Games, guide Estean Badenhorst said he felt privileged on Monday after charging to a silver medal alongside visually impaired distance runner Louzanne Coetzee.

The duo paired up to rake in the SA team’s third medal on day six of the Tokyo showpiece.

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“It’s all about team work,” Badenhorst said.

“We came here as the ‘dream team’ and we took a lot of inspiration from our families, and all of South Africa, and we could feel the energy.

“We gave everything we had on the track, and we’re just thankful, privileged and very happy with this result.”

Having achieved her main goal on the track, after finishing second in the 1,500m final in the T11 class for athletes who are totally blind, Coetzee said she was putting no pressure on herself to return to the podium when she shifted to the road for the marathon race on Sunday with her road running guide, Claus Kempsen.

“I’m not as confident in the marathon as I was in the 1,500m,” Coetzee said.

“I’ve definitely focussed more on the track, so I’m just doing the marathon for experience. I qualified for it and I’m hoping to enjoy it.”