Team South Africa has bagged its first medal at the World Para Athletics Championships thanks to blind para athlete Louzanne Coetzee who is shining in silver.
Paris, France (12 July, 2023)—The World Para Athletics Championships in Paris are in full swing and Team South Africa is celebrating a silver victory already.
Claiming the first medal for Mzansi is blind para athlete Louzanne Coetzee whose milestone moment came thanks to a blazing time of 4:48.13 in the women’s 1500m T11 event alongside her guide Estean Badenhorst.
This achievement adds to a long list of celebratory moments for the local icon who began her para athletic journey in 2012.
Some of her most impressive moments included earning bronze and silver successes at the Tokyo Paralympic Games and famously breaking the 5000m world record for women more than once.
Beyond being fierce competition and earning multiple medals across events for South Africa, she is also a huge source of inspiration for others who look up to her resilience.
“I have no words to describe the gratitude I feel today. The journey leading up to this moment was definitely not easy! Blood, sweat and tears all formed part of shaping my athletics career leading up to this moment. Thank you for everyone’s support. I cannot be here without you!”—Louzanne Coetzee.
We can’t wait to see her break even more barriers as her journey to the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games becomes brighter than ever.
Don’t forget to support the rest of the Para Athletic superstars by keeping up with Team SA’s social media and the World Para Athletics Championships’ pages!
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