South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane, alongside Japan’s Yui Kamiji, triumphed in the women’s wheelchair doubles final at Wimbledon, bringing home her first Wimbledon title and third overall doubles Grand Slam victory.
Wimbledon, England (15 July) – South Africans continue to shine on the global stage, bringing medals and titles back home with pride and excellence. The latest triumph comes from the prestigious Wimbledon Championships, where Kgothatso Montjane, alongside Japan’s Yui Kamiji, clinched the women’s wheelchair doubles title in a spectacular display of skill and determination.
Montjane, a name synonymous with resilience and excellence in wheelchair tennis, has once again made South Africa proud. Born in Seshego near Polokwane, Limpopo, Montjane’s journey has been marked by extraordinary challenges and remarkable achievements. She was born with a congenital disorder affecting both her hands and one foot and had her other foot amputated by the age of 12. Despite these challenges, Montjane has risen to become one of the top wheelchair tennis players globally.
With 29 singles titles to her name and numerous doubles victories, Montjane’s career highlights her incredible talent and tenacity. Her achievements include reaching the top 10 of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings, peaking at number 5 in 2005, and being named South Africa’s disabled sportswoman of the year three times. Montjane has also been a stalwart at the Paralympic Games, representing South Africa in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
The Wimbledon victory is particularly sweet for Montjane as it marks her first Wimbledon title after an elusive chase last year. Partnering with Yui Kamiji, the duo defeated the formidable French pair Diede De Groot and Aniek van Koot in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, during an epic clash. This victory is Montjane’s third overall doubles Grand Slam title, further cementing her legacy in the sport.
An elated Montjane expressed her gratitude to supporters and highlighted the significance of the crowd’s presence.
“We are just happy that this year we managed to fight for it (like she said); it’s been a tough week playing each other and having to put our heads together to play doubles. It hasn’t been an easy one. But other than that, we are happy to be playing here and for the crowd for staying cause when you watch, the sport grows, so thank you for coming through. And I just want to thank my support back home,” Montjane shared.
Montjane’s Wimbledon triumph is a moment of immense pride for South Africa. Her story is not just about winning titles but about inspiring others through her perseverance, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Her impact off the court matches Montjane’s achievements on the court. She continues to be a role model for aspiring athletes, showing that with determination, anything is possible.
Her success is a shining example of the incredible potential that exists within South Africa, and we eagerly anticipate more glorious moments from our champions on the world stage.
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