SA wheelchair tennis ace Kgothatso Montjane is optimistic about her chances of winning a Paralympic Games medal.
Montjane, 35, is not getting any younger, and this year’s competition could be her final chance to make the podium.
The Paralympic Games started on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan and SA will be represented by a small team of 46 athletes.
Montjane had the honour of carrying the flag with sprinter Charl du Toit in the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, but she will get down to business on Friday at 1pm SA time.
“The plan is to get a podium finish but I don’t want to commit to the colour of the medal. I do not have a Paralympic Games title, and it would be great to get one. I prepared well and we will see what will happen,” said Montjane before she departed for Tokyo.
Teenage sprinter and long jumper Ntando Mahlangu will compete at his second Paralympic Games at the age of 19.
Mahlangu won a silver medal in the men’s 200m in the Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games in 2016.
He told Sowetan before his departure that he was more experienced than he had been in Rio five years ago.
“The plan is to improve and perform better than I did five years ago. I was 14 years old, and know I have matured and have an idea of what the Paralympic Games are about,” said Mahlangu.
Mahlangu will start with the long jump event on Saturday at 12.15pm SA time.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.