Local blade runner aims for gold at Paralympics in Tokyo
Local blade runner from Jameson Park Puseletso ‘Fana’ Mabote (16) is getting ready to leave for Tokyo to compete in the Paralympics.
Fana qualified in 2019 for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo after winning gold in both the 100m and 200m events at the National Championships for the Physically Disabled.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Paralympics were postponed to this year and athletes are getting ready to leave for Tokyo.
Fana’s right leg was amputated after he was involved in an accident on his fifth birthday. He didn’t let the amputation discourage him and he pushed himself beyond limits to achieve his success.
“I’m extremely happy and I look forward to representing my country,” said Fana who added that his best achievement so far was when he set a new world record for the 200m T63, clocking 26.36 during the World Para Athletics Junior Championships in Nottwil, Switzerland.
Although the pandemic has affected competitions, Fana was still able to train three times a week.
“The community is very supportive towards my goals and dreams; more so, they have very high expectations. I am aiming for the gold medal at the Paralympic games and ultimately going for the world record in the 100m T63,” Fana said.
His role model in athletics is Ntando Mahlangu – a double amputee who won silver at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in the T42 category.
“I would like nothing more than to be tested against the best the world has to offer.
“To the other Paralympic athletes that are going to be travelling to Tokyo with me as the youngest, I would like to say good luck and bring home the gold,” he concluded.
