From shame to podium: Collen Mahlalela's meteoric rise to World number one

A story of resilience, self-love, and determination: that is the theme song of Collen Mahlalela’s life.

Mahlalela grew up ashamed of his disability, always trying to hide that he was an amputee by wearing long-sleeved jerseys all year round.

Once he took up Para sports in 2021, he realised there was nothing wrong with being different and has since grown confident in his body.

"Growing up, I used to hide my hand a lot, so that people don't make a mockery of me, because when you are young, kids don't see it with the same lens. Even at secondary school, I used to wear a jersey or long-sleeved shirts. My hand was always in my pocket. Many people are only starting to recognise my hand because I am exposed now.”

The para-athlete debuted at his first World Championships in 2024 in Kobe, Japan, where he won a silver medal in the 400m T47. T47 is a disability sport classification for athletics, primarily for competitors with an amputation or impairment below the elbow or wrist.

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The 30-year-old is not slowing down. Instead, he is revving his engine for more career firsts and podium finishes. 

The Mpumalanga Paralympian started the 2026 season with a gold medal for South Africa in the 400m T47 race and a bronze medal in the 100m T47 at the Dubai 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in February.

The Dubai gold medal makes him the current number one in the world in his class.

“Honestly, it feels unreal looking at the rankings and seeing my name at the top. It's a testament to all the hard work and sacrifices made, and it's a huge motivator heading into the 2026 season,” said Mahlalela.

The Paralympian sustained an injury during the Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix, but he told Eyewitness News that no amount of pain was going to stop him from achieving his goal.

“In Dubai, I was just focused on executing the plan, injury or not. During those final 50 seconds, I was thinking about my family and the team behind me. As for the 100m, it was about being smart and managing the injury – Caster helped me tweak my strategy, and it paid off.”

Mahlalela is now focused on qualifying for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, where he hopes to secure another podium finish.

“We're targeting a sub-11s time in Glasgow – that's the goal, and we're working towards it.”

The Paralympian, who hails from the village of Mthatha in Enkomazi, Mpumalanga, has recently started training with Caster Semenya.

He told Eyewitness News that the biggest lesson he has learned from Semenya is to focus on the process.

“Caster's biggest lesson? Winning's not just about physicality; it's mentality as well. She taught me to focus on the process, not just the outcome.”

Mahlalela said Hennie Kriel at Tuks remains his technical coach. “It's about finding balance. Hennie's got the technical side nailed, and Caster brings the strength and endurance expertise. Together, we make it work.”

Mahlalela has been nominated for two categories in the Mpumalanga Sport Awards: "Sport Star of the Year" and "People's Choice Sport Star of the Year."

The ceremony is scheduled for March 21, 2026.

"It would mean everything to take those trophies back home because it's not just about me; it's about Mpumalanga and my country, South Africa, as a whole. To my fans in Mpumalanga, Lokuhle Kuyabongwa, thank you for the support. Let's keep pushing."

The Paralympian also competed at the Dubai 2024 World Para Athletics Grand Prix, where he bagged a silver in the men’s 400m and a bronze in the men’s long jump T47.