SABELO Xulu and Bongumenzi Biyela from Open Air School were selected to represent South Africa in the 2023 BRICS Games hosted in KwaZulu-Natal from October 18 to 21.

Nineteen-year-old Sabelo, who represented South Africa for para table tennis, says he has been participating in the sport of para table tennis for six years and trains with a Newlands-based para table tennis club. “Based on my performance in previous games, I was selected to represent SA at the 2023 BRICS Games,” said Sabelo.

Sabelo went with several other BRICS Games participants to stay at the Elangeni Hotel based on the Durban Promenade on October 16 and returned to school on Monday, October 23, donning a gold medal!

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“I competed on October 20 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Westville campus, and I was awarded a gold medal in my category which is Para 1–5. Para 1–5 are people who are in a wheelchair. I was very nervous going into the competition, and when I got the gold medal, I was extremely happy and proud of myself that I represented my country well,” said Sabelo.

Sabelo says he has a real passion for the sport. “The reason I enjoy table tennis is because I realised when I was younger that I am not good at teamwork. When you are competing in table tennis, you are in a quiet space, and I feel comfortable behind the table tennis table.”

The Open Air School learner says his biggest supporters are his friends at school. “My friends were so happy for me when I told them that I won a gold medal, and my teachers at the school have also been very supportive.”

Bongumenzi, who is no stranger to international sports competitions, competed at Hillcrest Curro High School on October 21 and was awarded for his stellar performance in wheelchair tennis. “The competition was tough. On the day I competed, there were competitors from Brazil, India, China and South Africa. I was ready going into the game, and I’m very happy that I, at least, placed in the top three.”

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The 17-year-old says his biggest supporters are teachers from the school, some of whom even came to the game to support him. “When we came back to school, it was like we were celebrities – everyone is so proud of us.”

Bongumenzi says the next BRICS Games are in Russia, and he wants to attend and return to South Africa with a gold medal. “I am currently placed at number one in South Africa for Junior Wheelchair Table Tennis, and I want to keep excelling and participating in sports.”

Both learners say they hope to participate in the next BRICS games and eventually take part in the Para Olympics.

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