Mahlalela aiming to seal qualification for Paralympics at SASAPD Champs

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s para-athletes are headed to the Free State to compete at the Toyota South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD) National Championships in Bloemfontein from 21 to 25 March.

One of the athletes headed there is Collen Mahlalela, who hopes to use these championships to book a spot in Paris.

"In the upcoming national championships, my goal is to qualify for the Paralympic Games in August."

The 2023 SASAPD Championships saw 541 South African athletes break 97 SA records and 11 African records.

"I am hoping to qualify to go for the Paralympics and win so that I can change my life. This will be a gateway to changing my family background."

In 2023, Gauteng topped the medal table in the pool at the SASAPD Championships, followed by the Western Cape and KZN.

Mahlalela told Eyewitness News that throughout his career he had learnt that perseverance was the key to success.

"Looking at where I come from, I have learnt that nothing comes on a silver platter, the amount of hard work you put in will determine the outcome."

The 28-year-old from the village of Mthatha in Enkomazi, Mpumalanga recently competed at the Dubai 2024 World Para Athletics Grand Prix.

"I have mixed emotions because my personal goal was to get a gold medal, however, the overall performance was worth celebrating."

Collen Mahlalela won silver in the men’s 400m and bronze in the men’s long jump T47 in Dubai.

"One of the most cherishable highlights was participating in the World Para-Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai and receiving a silver and bronze medal, through which I also got my international classification, which has been long outstanding."

The Kwa-Thema Disability Club athlete will be joined by some of the country’s top athletes at the Toyota South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD) National Championships like Puseletso Mabote, Yane van der Merwe and Sheryl and Louzanne Coetzee.