Collen Mahlalela wins 2 gold medals at SASAPD National Champs and dreams of sub-46 in 400m
The athletics event which took place over the weekend, from 30 March - 1 April, in Gqeberha is the biggest sporting event in the country for para-athletes.
Para-athlete Collen Mahlalela will represent South Africa at the 2024 Paralympics. Picture: Jacques Nelles/ Eyewitness News.
JOHANNESBURG – Collen Mahlalela was one of the victorious athletes at the 2025 Toyota SASAPD (South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled) National Championships, taking home 2 gold medals from both of his races.
The athletics event which took place over the weekend, from 30 March - 1 April, in Gqeberha is the biggest sporting event in the country for para-athletes.
The 28-year-old from the village of Mthatha in Enkomazi, Mpumalanga, thanked his management and the sports department following his win.
“I would like to thank Inkhosi Mlambo, Bambanani Mlambo Trust and also the Department of Sports Arts and Culture from Mpumalanga. I appreciate a lot the support you gave you have given me since day one.”
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Although Mahlalela won gold medals in the 100m and the 400m races, he was still very critical of the performance.
Speaking to Eyewitness News, the 400m T47 specialist said he wasn’t happy with his performance after finishing the race in a time of 49.32.
“My performance was not good because of the wind, and it was very cold.”
Ahead of the national championships, he had set a fast time of 48.70 seconds at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria in the 400m.
“I want to achieve a world record since now I am a world lead with 48.70. At least if I can run sub-46, that will be good for me.”
The world record for the T47 400m is held by Aymane El Haddaoui of Morocco, who won gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympics with a one-lap time of 46.65.
The Paralympian is now looking forward to competing at the upcoming World Para Athletics Grand Prix Morocco (24 - 26 April), Tunis (16 - 18 June) and the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, which will take place in September in New Delhi, India.
According to SASAPD, over 20 South African age group records were broken in athletics and 12 in swimming.