Du Preez adds to South Africa’s medal haul at Paralympic games

By Ayanda Nyuswa

South Africa’s Para-Cyclist Pieter du Preez claimed Mzansi’s third medal at the Paralympic games, as he finished in third position to get bronze in the Men’s H1 Individual Time trail. Du Preez completed the race in 36:07:05 behind Belgium’s Maxime Hordies (Silver) and Italy’s Fabrizio Cornegliani who won gold. Du Preez was looking for his second gold medal in this event after claiming Gold at the Tokyo Paralympic games in 2021. The H1 category in the Paralympic games is contested by Athletes with highly affected movement in the trunk, legs and hands.

Pieter du Preez’s win leaves South Africa on three medals so far at the Paralympic games, the fourth highest ranked African nation behind Tunisia, Ethiopia and Algeria. Mpumelelo Mhlongo is the only gold medalist so far, after claiming victory in the Men’s 100m T44, whilst Louzanne Coetzee got Bronze in the Women’s 1500m T11. Team SA athletes will be in action for the rest of the week until the conclusion of the Paralympic games on Sunday 8 September 2024.