South Africa claims its first medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics – and it’s a GOLD!

South Africa has a new sports star. Meet Mpumelelo Mhlongo, who secured the country’s first medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Not only was he the first medallist, but it was gold as he scorched to victory at the Stade de France on Sunday.

Mpumelelo Mhlongo won in front of 80 000 spectators

“I didn’t execute the race perfectly and at 60 metres I told myself that I have to wake up. But it’s job done! We got the gold and hopefully now the floodgates will open,” said the 30-year-old Team SA athlete.

Mhlongo, who lives and works in Johannesburg, came into the men’s T44 100m final as the favourite – and delivered on that tag in front of 80 000 passionate fans.

He led from start to finish in lane four to subdue the challenge thrown down by Cuban Yamel Vives Suarez and cross the line in 11.12 seconds.

Mhlongo holds the world record at 11.00 and admitted he had been in the type of form to scare that mark.

“I’ll take the gold though,” he said, draped in the South African flag.

Mhlongo had carried that flag in the opening ceremony  and he will now also be the first to have the national anthem played at these Paralympics.

“I can’t wait to sing Nkosi sikelel’iAfrika,” he said, of the upcoming medal ceremony.

Gary Lemke is reporting live from Paris for the Team SA website for the duration of the Paris Olympics 2024