OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 6.30PM.
SOUTH Africa’s disabled athletes competing in the World Athletics Championships for the Physically Disabled in Birmingham have won 27 medals, including 14 gold, five silver and eight bronze, and set three world records in their incredibly successful stint in England.
Hein Seyerling, brother of national sprint champion Heide, broke the world record in the class 20 intellectually impaired high jump event on Sunday with a jump of 1,85 metres.
Gauteng North’s Christelle Bosker took gold in the class 37 celebral palsy javelin event with a personal best throw of 21,79 metres. The gold brings her medal haul to two golds, one bronze and a world record.
Michael Louwrens from Eastern Province picked up a gold medal in winning the class 57 spinal chord injury shot put event with a throw of 12,97 metres just seven centimetres short of the world record.
Krige Schabort brought home the final medal in the class 55 wheelchair marathon event. He finished third in one hour 35,07 minutes behind Switzerland’s Heinz Frei and Mexico’s Aaron Gordian.