FILE - Team South Africa’s Simone Kruger won the women’s F38 discus final at the 2024 Paris. Paralympics FILE - Team South Africa’s Simone Kruger won the women’s F38 discus final at the 2024 Paris. Paralympics. Picture: Roger Sedres / Team South Africa
Team South Africa teenager Simone Kruger added Paris Paralympics gold to her ever growing CV when she won the women’s F38 discus event.
Kruger needed a Paralympics record to see off her competitors, as she produced a best throw of 38.70m during her third attempt.
It is Team SA’s second gold medal after Mpumelelo Mhlongo powered his way to the gold medal in the men’s T44 100m final on Sunday. It’s also South Africa’s fifth medal overall.
China’s Yingli Li finished with the silver medal, while Colombian Xiomara Hernandez managed to win the bronze.
🥇 GOLD ALERT! 🥇 Simone Kruger, just 19, wins GOLD in Women's Discus - F38 with a NEW Paralympic Record of 38.70m! 🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦![CDATA[]]>🔥 History made, dreams realized. Congratulations, Simone—you are an inspiration! 🌟![CDATA[]]>🏆
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) September 6, 2024
#TeamSA #Paris2024 #ForMyCountry pic.twitter.com/vme1VqcMcG
Kruger is participating in her second Paralympics after finishing fifth in the F38 discus final at Tokyo 2020. But, after winning the world title with a distance of 38.82m in Kobe, Japan in May, she lived up to the billing in Paris.
Elsewhere on the track, Daniel du Plessis announced his retirement after finishing eighth in the men’s T62 400m with a time of 52.91. Compatriot Paul Daniels clocked a personal best of 50.63 to finish sixth in the same race.
Collen Mahlalelea secured his spot in the next round of the men’s T47 200m after finishing second in his heat in a time of 48.65. That was the third fastest time in qualification ahead of Saturday’s final.
In Judo, Eduardo Gauto of Argentina secured a 10-0 victory over South Africa’s Ndyebo Lamani via Ippon during golden score in a contest lasting 4:51.
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