‘By the grace of God.’

This was the whisper on my lips as I dipped my head and settled into the starting blocks for the 400m race at the New Delhi World Para-athletic Championships on 28 September 2025.

‘Set.’

‘Thank You Lord.’  I had barely breathed the words when…

BANG

The race itself became a blur until we rounded the curve at the 300m mark and headed down the final straight. Suddenly, the girls racing alongside appeared in the corner of my eye. The finish line loomed and then it was the final reach to edge ahead of them for a bronze. Praise the Lord for His goodness.

Chase your dreams relentlessly

While at the Paris Paralympics in 2024, I made a commitment in my heart – I was going to go the World Champs in 2025. It was perhaps a wild dream to think that I could still represent my country at Worlds at my age. Nevertheless, I fixed the commitment in my heart. I had set myself up for a whole lot of hard work, and much prayer.

Thankfully the Lord opened the doors for me to get to New Delhi, India, for the 2025 World Para-athletics Championships. It is always an honour to represent my country and even greater blessing when my Jesus is on the path with me.

Thanks to those who help us chase our dreams

Thank you to the technical staff who were there to help us navigate the conditions, long hours in the bus to and from venues, the financial support received to get there and even more importantly to the support in every form from those at home in the preparation phase to be ready for that platform.  Training in the heat of the day at home, somewhat made the horrible, humid climate in New Delhi at least bearable for me.  

The South Africa team that went to Worlds was small, yet determined to do well. And do well we did, producing two gold medals from our young stars (Puseletso Mabote and Simoné Kruger) and 2 bronze medals from our more senior (in age) athletes (Collen Mahlalela and myself). Liezel Gouws, the fifth member of our team, came away with a fantastic personal best in her 400m and season’s bests in her other events. In fact, season’s bests from all of us in spite of limited opportunities for competition practice in preparation for the World Champs.

Why do I do this?

It remains my deep desire that the youth of South Africa will be inspired and encouraged to chase their dreams relentlessly, working with perseverance so as to reap the rewards. Yes, sport is my passion. And although sport is only a single facet to our lives, it remains a great tool to develop good character and for some of us who dare to believe, an opportunity that takes us all over the world. By the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ. 

Credit to @Andries Kruger for the photographs.  To see how Discover Sport and other organisations are helping us to help others chase their dreams, click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1aPXX7jdM8/