By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GettyImages.
The world record-holding Paralympian and sprinter Mpumelelo Mhlongo wins gold for Team SA in the T44 100m sprint final at the Paralympic Games in Paris on Sunday night.
Mhlongo, a two-time world champion, dashed across the line in 11.12, with Yamel Vives Suares taking the runner-up spot in 11.20.
Mhlongo, a name synonymous with excellence, currently holds three world records in the T44 category for long jump, 100m, and 200m track events.
He was born with amniotic band syndrome and a deformed club foot.
“There is a difference on every occasion,” he said about his race. “This time, with my wife in the stands, my mother here for the first time ever, and my mother-in-law. Having my family here is everything I could have asked for.”
On his preparations he said: “It was a lot of hard work, dedication and listening to my coach. He would still shout at me for not executing the race he wants. But the job is done and there are two more events to go.”
What happens next? “It’s one step at a time. We did the 100 and got the job done. Now time to recover and refocus as if it never happened, and execute the plan that we have been preparing for three years.”
Earlier on Sunday in the track and field competition, visually impaired distance runner Louzanne Coetzee (with her guide Erasmus Badenhorst) finished second in her T11 1 500m heat in 4:45.25, booking her place in the final to be held in the morning (10.10am).
On the wheelchair tennis court, the quad doubles pairing of Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole were defeated in their semifinal clash against Sam Schroder and Niels Vink of the Netherlands (6-1 6-1).
Ramphadi and Sithole will turn out again in the bronze medal match on Wednesday.