The ten medals bagged by the South African Olympic Games team in Rio de Janeiro last month has hopefully set the bar for the Paralympic team presently in Brazil for the 2016 Paralympic Games that commenced yesterday (Wednesday) and will end next Sunday. Following Limpopo golden girl Caster Semenya’s gold in the women’s 800 m
all eyes are on local girl Kgothatso Montjane, South Africa’s medal hope for the women’s wheelchair tennis.
Montjane is ranked the top wheelchair tennis woman in the country by Wheelchair Tennis South Africa (WTSA). She was announced Sportwoman with Disability of the Year by WTSA recently. South Africa’s other wheelchair tennis aces, world number three Lucas Sithole, Leon Els and Evans Maripa.
The Paralympic squad will represent South Africa in different codes such as archery, athletics, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, powerlifting, rowing, swimming, shooting and wheelchair tennis.
South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tubby Reddy was quoted to have said that the Paralympians have always done the country proud at previous games and South Africa has a track record of excellent results evidenced by obtaining a total of 29 medals in London in 2012. “I have no doubt that this team will maintain this standard and even do better in Rio,” he said.
Story: RC Myburgh
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Featured Photo: All eyes are on local wheelchair tennis player Kgothatso Montjane who will participate in the singles women’s wheelchair tennis at the Paralympic Games in Rio.
