Distance runner Louzanne Coetzee claims bronze at Paralympic Games

Visually impaired distance runner Louzanne Coetzee returned to the podium on Monday morning, securing South Africa’s second medal of the Paralympic Games in Paris.

Coetzee, who earned silver in Tokyo three years ago, grabbed bronze in the women’s T11 1500m final.

This after Mpumelelo Mhlongo had bagged Team SA’s first medal of the Paris Games by winning gold in the men’s T77 100m final the night before.

Lying fifth with one lap to go, Coetzee launched a furious kick in the closing stages, chasing down Kenyan athletes Mary Njoroge and Nancy Koech.

The 31-year-old South African took third place in 4:35.49, breaking her own national record.

Up front, Ethiopian athlete Yayesh Tesfaw won gold, setting a new world record of 4:27.68, and China’s He Shanshan secured silver in 4:32.82.

“I’m super chuffed. Estean has been such a great support throughout the year, and since Tokyo, and there has been so much support from family and friends,” Coetzee told the Team South Africa website.

“I really thought that we would get close to 4:40, but now we’re closer to 4:30, so I’m not going to stop any time soon.”

Coetzee will compete in the T12 marathon on Sunday, as she targets another medal after bagging bronze in the 42km race at the Tokyo Games.

Other events

Later on Monday, Puseletso Mabote finished fifth in the men’s T63 100m final.

Mabote, who set a Paralympic record of 12.05 in the heats, clocked 12.16 in the final. He was just 0.06 shy of the podium in a blanket finish, with American athlete Ezra Frech winning gold in 12.06.

Elsewhere on day five of the Paris Games, Kirsty Weir finished eighth in the women’s PTS4 triathlon in 1:21:14.

Weir was lying 12th exiting the water and she maintained her position on the bike, before reeling in some of her opponents on the run leg.

British athlete Megan Richter dominated the race, winning gold in 1:14:30.