UJ athletes with disabilities excel at Gauteng Sports Awards

University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) top athletes with disabilities became stars of the night by receiving top awards at the Gauteng Sports Awards.

The institution’s para-rowing team claimed their second consecutive Sports Team of the Year Award, while Paralympian long jumper, Andrea Dalle Ave won his first Sportsman of the Year with a disability title.

“The [para-rowing] team deserves all of the accolades that they have received because of their relentless commitment to rowing, which is not an easy sport. The entire crew also competes in able-bodied rowing for the university,” said Carol Blignaut, UJ Rowing Club manager.

Para-rowing team members, Dieter Rosslee and Shannon Murray claimed the first international para-rowing gold medal for South Africa in the LTA (Paralympic rowing classification) mixed doubles at the Gavirate International Para-Rowing Regatta in Italy earlier this year. Teammate Willie Morgan was also recognised as one of world rowing’s rising stars for the month of June.

The UJ rowing team also placed fourth at the World Rowing Championships last year, and took fifth place in this year’s competition which qualified them to take part at the Rio Paralympics 2016.

Blignaut added that not only were the para-rowing athletes performing in the sporting arena, but also in the lecture halls. Rosslee is a first-year chemical engineering student, Murray is completing her masters in law, Dylan Trollope is currently in matric at St Benedict’s College and one of the top students in the grade. Morgan is a first-year law student, and Lucy Perold is enrolling into university next year.

“These athletes should be an inspiration for people with disabilities as para-rowing improves their abilities despite the disabilities,” said Marco Galeone, national para-rowing coach.

“We always welcome the new potential Paralympians, and people with disabilities who like challenges and teamwork.”

Details: www.uj.co.za