As the 2024 Paralympic Games get underway in Paris, Team South Africa is poised to make their mark on the first day of competition.
Story Summary:
- Team South Africa kicks off their 2024 Paralympic campaign with archery, swimming, and boccia events.
- Three-time Paralympian Shaun Anderson competes in archery, while Nathan Hendricks looks to make waves in the 100m butterfly S13.
- Boccia sees Paralympic debuts for Karabo Morapedi and Elanza Jordaan.
Team SA at the Paralympics: How are we doing so far?
The team is competing in three disciplines: archery, para-swimming, and boccia.
With a mix of seasoned Paralympians and fresh faces, the team is ready to showcase their talents on the world stage.
The opening ceremony, held at the historic Place de la Concorde, set a vibrant tone for the Games.
South African athletes Mpumelelo Mhlongo and Kat Swanepoel proudly carried the national flag, leading the team through the iconic Champs-Elysées.
Team South Africa schedule for Thursday, 29 August 2024
Now, with the ceremonial aspects behind them, it’s time for Team SA to focus on the competition.
Archery
The first South African in action is Shaun Anderson, a three-time Paralympian who will be competing in the men’s W1 individual ranking round. Starting at 09:00, Anderson will be among 17 para-archers vying for a strong position in the rankings, which will set the stage for the knockout rounds.
His experience in past Paralympic Games gives him a solid foundation as he takes aim at success in Paris.
Boccia
Boccia, a sport making its Paralympic debut for South Africa, will feature two athletes: Karabo Morapedi and Elanza Jordaan. Morapedi will compete in the men’s individual BC3 Preliminary Pool A match against Australia’s Daniel Michel at 14:00.
Later in the evening, at 20:00., Jordaan will take on Kei Yuen Ho from Hong Kong in the women’s individual BC3 Preliminary Pool B.
Both Morapedi and Jordaan are making their Paralympic debuts, bringing fresh energy and determination to this precision-based sport.
Swimming
In the pool, Nathan Hendricks will represent South Africa in the men’s 100m butterfly S13 heats at 11:03. Hendricks, a strong contender in his category, will be looking to secure a spot in the final, where the fastest eight qualifiers from the heats will compete later in the day.
With his sights set on reaching the podium, Hendricks will need to deliver a powerful performance in the morning’s heats to keep his medal hopes alive.
The first day of competition for Team South Africa is packed with potential. With seasoned athletes and newcomers alike, the team is eager to get off to a strong start. As the Games progress, South African fans will be watching closely, cheering on their athletes as they compete against the best in the world.
Here’s a look at Thursday’s schedule:
| Times | Sport | Athletes |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Archery | Shaun Anderson (Men’s W1 individual ranking round) |
| 11:03 | Swimming | Nathan Hendricks (Men’s 100m butterfly, S13 heats) |
| 14:00 | Boccia | Korabo Morapedi vs Daniel Michel (Aus) (Men’s individual, BC3, Preliminary Pool A) |
| 20:00 | Boccia | Elanza Jordaan vs Kei Yuen Ho (Hong Kong) (Women’s individual, BC3, Preliminary Pool B) |