Mpumelelo Mhlongo celebrates after taking gold in the 100m-T44 final during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at Stade de France on 1 September 2024. (Photo: Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images) 
Mpumelelo Mhlongo claimed South Africa’s first medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games after a sensational gold in the men’s 100m sprint in the T44 classification on Sunday.
It was a terrific win for the Olympic and world record holder, who led from start to finish in 11.12sec.
Cuba’s Yamel Vives Suarez (11.20s), who finished second, was the only athlete who really pushed Mhlongo, while Eddy Bernard (11.58s) of Malaysia was third.
“There is a difference on every occasion,” 30-year-old Mhlongo said after the race. “This time, with my wife in the stands, my mother here for the first time ever, and my mother-in-law. Having my family here is everything I could have asked for.”
About his preparations he said: “It was a lot of hard work, dedication and listening to my coach. He would still shout at me for not executing the race he wants. But the job is done and there are two more events to go.”
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-2169766614.jpg "From left: Mateus de Lima of Team Brazil, Indika Gamage of Team Sri Lanka, Mpumelelo Mhlongo of Team South Africa and Eddy Bernard of team Malaysia compete in the 100m-T44 final at Stade de France on 1 September 2024. (Photo: Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images)")
Mhlongo, who was born with amniotic band syndrome and a deformed club foot, will also compete in the 200m and long jump events in the same classification.
“It’s one step at a time,” the focused athlete said. “We did the 100 and got the job done. Now, time to recover and refocus as if it never happened, and execute the plan that we have been preparing for three years.”
The man born in Klaarwater, eThekwini, is not just a record-breaking athlete. Mhlongo is also currently pursuing a PhD in chemical engineering at the University of Cape Town.
Mhlongo hoped that his duck-breaking gold medal achievement would inspire his South African teammates to rake in the medals too.
“I’ve opened the floodgates for my teammates to do more,” said Mhlongo, who was also a flag bearer at the Paralympic opening ceremony.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-2169771223.jpg "Gold medallist Mpumelelo Mhlongo of Team South Africa on the podium after the 100m-T44 final. (Photo: Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images)")
More medals
As if a prophecy, Louzanne Coetzee snatched the bronze medal in the women’s 1,500m T11 final less than 24 hours later, on Monday morning, to take South Africa’s tally to two after four and a half days of action.
Coetzee and guide runner Erasmus Badenhorst crossed the finish line third in a personal best of 4:35.49.
Ethiopia’s Yayesh Tesfaw took gold in a world-record run of 4:27.68 and China’s Shanshan took silver in 4:32.82.
Read more: Get to know your Team SA Paralympic athletes and their classifications
Coetzee’s Paralympic Games are not over as she will also take part in the women’s marathon on 8 September.
There were classy showings from several members of Team SA who were just outside the medals in the opening four days of action. Puseletso Mabote (long jump T63) finished sixth, Christian Sadie (swimming – SM7 200m IM) was fifth and Khumo Neo Pitso (high jump T47) placed fifth. DM