Paralympian Yane van der Merwe overcame challenging conditions to set a new African record in the women’s discus F44 at the 2025 Toyota SASAPD National Championships in Gqeberha on Sunday.
Despite the cold sea breeze, Van der Merwe launched a throw of 34.06m on her fourth attempt, a new continental record and also a personal best for the athlete.
“I’m really happy with this result,” said Van der Merwe. “It’s been a goal I’ve been working towards for the past three months of competition, so it’s great to finally achieve it. After three throws that didn’t go my way, to land that perfect fourth throw – it felt magical. Everything just came together.”
There have been over 20 South African age group records broken in athletics and 12 in swimming, drawing athletes from across the country to showcase their talents.
Van der Merwe wasn’t the only standout performer at the championships. Fellow Paralympian Simone Kruger participated in the women’s discus F38, achieving a throw of 36.42m. Although Kruger was not satisfied with her result, she remains focused on peaking for the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, scheduled for September and October this year.
T63 sprinter and long jumper, Puseletso Mabote, also made an impression, clocking a time of 12.42 seconds in his first 100m race of the season. Mabote expressed confidence in his ongoing progress, believing his performance will only improve leading up to the World Championships.
“The national championships provide an unrivalled platform for athletes like us,” Mabote remarked. “This is where the next Paralympians are made. Many athletes don’t have the chance to compete in larger competitions, but here, every para athlete has the opportunity to showcase their potential. This is where dreams are born.”
Western Province’s Rentia Retief is the latest example of experiencing why the National Championships are known as the “Birthplace of Dreams”. After losing her lower right leg when a garbage removal van went into her while she was on her mountain bike two years ago, she now has her sights set on representing South Africa at major international events.
About a year ago, she borrowed the blade of Paralympian, Daniel du Plessis to “just see how fast she could go”. Her ability was evident and at her first national championships, she won her first gold in the women’s 100m T64 in 14.77.
