The heat is on in Tunisia as African athletes battle brave waters to compete for Olympic and Paralympic placements. As the excitement builds, SA Rowers are giving their home country big reasons to smile thanks to stellar determination and results!
Tunisia (25 October 2023) — The heat is on in Tunisia as rowing champions from around the continent compete in the qualifiers for the Olympics and Paralympics at the African Champs Regatta.
For this week, SA rowers will showcase the best of their best with hopes of securing spots in the biggest sporting leagues and making career-defining dreams come true.
As such, Rowing South Africa has called on sports lovers across the country to send in waves of support for our SA rowers like Courtney Westley (Women’s Single Scull) and Lifa Hlongwa (PR1 Men’s Single Scull).
Straight off the bat of stiff competition at the African Champs Regatta, both Westley and Hlongwa have clearly displayed exceptional talent.
Westley for one, had already won her recent heat while Hlongwa soared in second for his preliminary race, a mere 10 seconds from gold. Westley’s focus is now on securing a top 5 finish in the Women’s Single Scull while Hlongwa rows closer to his Paralympic dreams.
Hlongwa’s story is one of great inspiration as the self-described stubborn young man worked tirelessly to regain the use of his arms, hands and legs following his paralysis.
“Becoming disabled has afforded me the great privilege of learning to have a special understanding of the endless possibilities of the human spirit to overcome challenges. Helping motivate others to tap into their true potential in order to make a meaningful contribution to their lives and the world is an endeavour I wish to continuously embody and reflect in all my works.”—Lifa Hlongwa.
As our athletes continue to wave SA’s flag high, we reflect on the South Africans who have already qualified for the Olympics and Paralympics in their own respective disciplines, including gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz, surfers Jordy Smith and Sarah Baum, wheelchair tennis star Alwande Sikhosana and artistic swimmers Laura Strugnell and Jess Hayes-Hill.
Don’t forget to share your support by keeping up with Rowing South Africa.
by 