South Africa’s wheelchair tennis team have already proved they are winners, even before the Rio 2016 Paralympics begins.
Wheelchair Tennis South Africa (WTSA) held a farewell brunch for the team of four at the University of Johannesburg (UJ’s) tennis courts in Westdene on 16 August, as the players prepare to compete at the games between 7 and 18 September.
Gauteng Premiere, David Makhura attended, sharing jokes and encouraging words with each player before addressing the audience. “These guys are double champions because they have already triumphed over major obstacles in their lives,” explained Makhura, who said he follows tennis on television.
“They have excelled more than able-bodied athletes because they overcame their challenges and still excelled to compete on the international stage. I only see success when I look at them,” he smiled.
Then, as if to add pressure to the players, in a light-hearted manner, he said, “It is not a question of whether or not there will be medals, but what kind of medals.”
Two-time grand slam champion, Lucas Sithole will play in the singles event. “I only want to give my personal best and take the result I get,” he said. Sithole lives in Westdene, along with South Africa’s number one men’s player, Evans Maripa, and the two of them will play in their second paralympics. “My aim is to win a medal and to be able to sing the national anthem from the podium,” said
“My aim is to win a medal and to be able to sing the national anthem from the podium,” said Maripa, who will play singles and doubles with teammate, Leon Els.
Team coach, Kgotso Matshego, said prospects looked good for the team as they were mostly unchanged from the London 2012 Paralympic Games and will take their experiences with them to Rio.
Former Westdene resident and world number nine women’s player, Kgothatso (KG) Montjane will compete in her third paralympics. “We have every chance to succeed; we must just have a positive mindset,” said Montjane, who will only play singles.
Els will play singles and doubles with Maripa in his first paralympics. “My greatest challenge at the paralympics is to perform the way I want to perform,” he said. “I need to visualise it and then perform it,” explained Els.
