April 2018 is going to be packed with sporting events: for example, the Commonwealth Games 2018, also known as Gold Coast 2018 (GC2018), kicks off in Australia on April 4. Until April 15, sports enthusiasts can enjoy a display of incredible events, which will include para athletes participating in athletics, swimming, lawn bowls, powerlifting, cycling, table tennis and triathlon.
GC2018 aims to set a new record by hosting up to 300 para athletes – 45 percent more than at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. There will be an equal number of sports for men and women and the event will also host the first-ever wheelchair marathon (T54).
On January 30, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) named the athletes who will be participating in the GC2018 on behalf of South Africa. The men’s sevens rugby team will be announced at the end of February.
The games offer the perfect opportunity for our top para athletes to showcase their talent in the run-up to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. The South African Sport Association for the Physically Disabled shared the list of para athletes competing at the GC2018.
Para Athletics
Women: Juanelie Meijer
Men: Ndodomzi Ntutu, Hilton Langenhoven, Dyan Buis, Charl du Toit, Union Sekailwe, Reinhardt Hamman and Juanre Jenkinson
Para Swimming
Men: Christian Sadie, Kaleb van der Merwe
Para Lawn Bowls
Women: Princess Schroeder
Director: Annatjie van Rooyen
Men: Tobias Botha, Willem Viljoen, Christopher Patton and Philippus Walker
Director: Graham Ward
Para Powerlifting
Men: Ricardo Fitzpatrick
Para Table Tennis
Men: Theo Cogill
Congratulations to all these athletes who will represent South Africa at the GC2018. Make sure not to miss out on the games. For more information visit https://www.gc2018.com/.
