Minister Zizi Kodwa on team SA's accomplishments at World Para Athletics Championships

Minister Zizi Kodwa on team SA's accomplishments at the World Para Athletics Championships

Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa congratulates Team South Africa on fantastic performances at the recent World Para Athletics Championships in Paris, France.

Team South Africa won four medals at the championships. Mpumelelo Mhlongo won the men's T44 100 metres gold, Louzanne Coetzee won silver in the women's T11 1 500 metres, Kerwin Noemdo won bronze in the men's F46 shot put, while Simone Kruger won gold for the women's F38 discuss, breaking the world record in the process.

Besides these amazing feats, several more records were broken by South African athletes. Puseletso Mabote broke the African record in the men's T63 100 metres final. Juane le Roux broke the African record in the F46 women's shot put. Tezna Abrahams broke the African record in the T64 women's long jump, while Sheryl James broke the African record in the T37 women's 400 metres.

Minister Zizi Kodwa says, "I am very proud of what South Africa's Para athletes continue to achieve on the track and field.

"What we have seen in the 2023 World Para Athletics World Champions are performances which confirm South Africa's status of producing world-class para athletics talent.

"What excites me about this team is the mixture of experienced campaigners and young talent. We have athletes who have been to multiple Olympics Games, yet still continue to contribute to South Africa's track and field success. We also have youngsters who are proving to be among the best talent in the world. South Africa's para athletics team is well set to reach great heights for a long time."

Media enquiries:
Litha Mpondwana: Media Liaison Officer: Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture
Cell: 064 802 3003
Email: LithaM@dsac.gov.za