The first para-athletes making up the Paris Paralympic squad who will compete for South Africa have officially been announced!
South Africa (10 July 2024) — The first cohort making up the Paris Paralympic squad, who will compete for South Africa in August, has officially been announced with a total of 26 athletes having successfully qualified for the game of all games!
As has been the case for the Olympic squads, the roll-call of our Paralympic athletes will be called out over the coming months, with less than 50 days to go until the Paralympic Games kickstart on 28 August.
The South Africa Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC) made the announcement earlier this week to a South Africa waiting eagerly in anticipation, and with many acclaimed para-athletes on our team (and Paralympians), we have no doubt that there will be a wealth of proud moments to look forward to from Paris.
“Team South Africa has always competed with pride and excellence at the Paralympics. This edition we expect similar. The initial squad represents the best of the best and we are hopeful that our athletes will continue to add to the country’s reputation at the Paralympics. We wish them every success and assure them that they have the support of the entire nation behind them,” beamed SASCOC CEO Nozipho Jafta.
Meet the First of South Africa’s Paris Paralympic Squad
Archery Paralympians
- Shaun Anderson (W1)
Athletics Paralympians
- Erasmus Badenhorst (guide, 1500m)
- Hermanus Blom (F12 shot put)
- Louzanne Coetzee (T11 1500m and marathon)
- Daniel du Plessis (T62 400m)
- Liezel Gouws (T37 200m and long jump)
- Sheryl James (T37 100m, 200m, 400m)
- Claus Kempen (guide, marathon)
- Simone Kruger (T38 discus)
- Puseletso Mabote (T63 100m and long jump)
- Collen Mahlalela (T47 400m)
- Mpumelelo Mhlongo (T44 100m and long jump)
- Kerwin Noemdo (F46 shot put)
- Khumo Pitso (T46 high jump)
- Jaco Smith (T12 100m)
- Yane van der Merwe (F44 discus)
Boccia Paralympians
- Elanza Jordaan (BC3)
- Sandre Jordaan (BC3 ramp operator)
- Karabo Cassius Morapedi (BC3)
- Matobako Vincent Ramochela (BC3 ramp operator)
Cycling Paralympians
- Pieter du Preez
Equestrian Paralympians
- Christiaan Haazen (groom)
- Philippa Johnson-Dwyer
Swimming Paralympians
- Alani Ferreira (S12 400m freestyle, SB12 100m breaststroke, SM12 200m Individual Medley, S12-S13 100m butterfly)
- Nathan Hendricks (S13 200m individual medley, 100m backstroke, SB13 100m breaststroke)
- Christian Sadie (S7 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke,50m freestyle, SM7 200m individual medley)
- Kat Swanepoel (SM5 200m Individual Medley, S5 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, SB4 100m breaststroke, S14 400m freestyle)
- Danika Vyncke (SB13 100m breaststroke)
Wheelchair Tennis Paralympians
- Alwande Sikhosana
More qualification spots are on the cards for disciplines including Para Judo, Wheelchair tennis and the Para Triathlon, so stay tuned for further additions to the Paris Paralympic Squad!
Meanwhile, in other good news headed for Paris, another list of athletes part of the Olympic team have been announced—catch them here.
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