Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole made history when they won bronze at the 2024 Paralympic Games
In just over two hours, the South African men’s quad doubles team of Lucas Sithole and Donald Ramphadi made history as the first wheelchair tennis players from the African continent to win a medal at the Paralympic Games.
The duo secured bronze in their match against Brazil’s Leandro Pena and Ymanitu Silva on September 4.
The win is particularly sweet for seasoned tennis player Lucas who narrowly missed a medal when he competed in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games where he placed fourth in the quad singles division.
While a Paralympic medal has eluded the star player until now, the 37-year-old has already cemented his name in the wheelchair history books by winning the quad singles title at the 2013 US Opens.
For Donald, the win seems to be a successful career on the rise as it follows his 2023 French Open quad wheelchair doubles win with teammate Andy Lapthorne. Since his 2023 win, the 31-year-old has been placing runner up in several big tournaments.
“Introduced to the sport via a wheelchair tennis grassroots programme while a learner at Letaba School,” Donald shares. “I was probably the last learner to try out on the day even though I never intended to. My teacher Mme Shikwambana took me to the courts and the rest is history.”
Initially, tennis was only a pastime for Donald. Slowly, over the years, it evolved into a career. He notes: “What it has done for me, family and life is something indescribable.”
“A boy from a child-headed family in Mogapeng (with no tennis court) taking part in a global sport and acing it is a perfect example of what this sport has done for me.”
“It will take a while for this to sink in, even though this is something we planned for, with my coach Siyabulela Nkachela, from 2021,” Donald comments on his Paralympic medal win.
“It is a fitting tribute to that vision. Being part of the Paralympics for first time was one thing, but winning a medal on debut? Come on, nothing tops that …” he adds.
When asked what it feels like to represent South Africa on the world stage, Donald says: “I’m a patriot through and through. Donning the national colours is testament to the pride, ambassadorship. We are called to execute as citizens of this beautiful country.”
Still early in his career, Donald already has plans to achieve even more with wheelchair tennis. He shares: “More grand slam titles, being number one, and many more healthy years on tour expressing myself.”
Finally, when asked what his advice is for other tennis players or athletes with disabilities, Donald share some sage wisdom: “The world is your playground. Limitations are not an obstruction but should be seen as opportunities to be explored.”
Other medallist at the games includes Mpumelelo Mhlongo who won gold in the men’s 100 metre, T44 division, with a perfect run. He torpedoed off the starting blocks and quickly took the lead.
Mpumelelo remained ahead of the pack with only Yamel Luis Vives Suares from Cuba creeping in to compete for first place. The final metres of the race were nail-biting as Yamel closed his distance on Mpumelelo. Fortunately, the 30-year-old was sure footed and strong as he passed the finish line a full eight seconds ahead of Yamel. It was the first medal won for South Africa at the Games.
Mpumelelo would continue to perform throughout the Games with another medal and two world records. In both his long jump and 200 metre race, he competed in a higher category (T64), but still set world records for the T44 division. He jumped a whopping 7.12 metres in the long jump. He placed fifth overall within the T64 category. In the 200 metres, he ran 22.62 – setting a world record for the T44 division – and placed third overall in the category, which secured him his second medal at the event.
Simone Kruger is our other gold medallist winning the F38 division of the Women’s Discus Throw. She was a favourite for her event after banking gold and setting a world record at the 2023 World Championships, which was also held in France.
Our bronze medallists include Louzanne Coetzee who competed in the T11 division of the Women’s 1 500m, and Pieter du Preez for the Men’s H1 Individual Time Trial. In total, there were six medals won at the Paralympic Games. A big congratulations to all the athletes who performed incredibly on the world stage – particularly those who brought home medals.
Well done also to all the coaches, support staff, friends and family who ensured our athletes could perform at their best. What an incredible show of athleticism by these incredible South Africans!
