Limpopo Province athlete and Tokyo Paralympic bronze medallist in the women’s T37 track division, Sheryl James is headed to Cape Town to compete at the 2023 Toyota SASAPD (Sports Association for the Physically Disabled) National Championships launching this week.
The track and field competition at Green Point Athletic Stadium (19-21 March) is an internationally sanctioned event and an important qualifying opportunity for athletes aiming to represent their country at the Paris 2023 World Para Athletics Championships and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
James, whose sprinting story starts back in 2018 at the age of 32, burst onto the international Para athletics scene when she competed at the 2019 World Para athletics Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and won Women’s 400m T37 bronze for South Africa.
She went on to line up in each of her 100, 200, and 400m Women’s T37 finals at the Tokyo Paralympics, again winning bronze for South Africa over the 400m sprint distance.
Sheryl was born with cerebral palsy which causes impaired muscle function, in her case on the right side of her body (hemiplegia). That being said, her physical challenges have never stopped her from reaching her goals.
“I have a passion for pushing the limits of what I am capable of and for inspiring those around me to do the same – to live life to the fullest,” says James, who currently holds the African record in the 100m Women’s T37 division.
She adds, “To me, even more valuable than athletics glory are the doors that my achievements help open to assist more people in our local community to get involved in athletics and other inclusive sports.
She joins a team of 40 Limpopo Para athletes in representing her province at the Cape Town 2023 Para athletics Nationals.
The Toyota SASAPD National Championships is an important event for any athlete with a disability who participates in the eight sporting codes presented. It is an opportunity to showcase athletic ability and break South African or international records which are officially recognised.
“I am excited to be part of our Limpopo Province athletics team in a successful team effort at the National event in Cape Town. I believe in the power of sport to unite us and change perceptions about what is possible for differently abled individuals. I wish every participating athlete all the best for a wonderful experience,” James concludes.