Team South Africa has won its fourth medal, a third gold, at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Para-cyclist, Pieter du Preez, dominated the H1 time trial from start to finish at the Fuji Raceway circuit, some two hours from Tokyo.
A Supa Gold for @supapiet ????
? Bartłomiej Zborowski #TeamSA#Paralympics pic.twitter.com/83S9PsseCF
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2020) August 31, 2021
By the end of the first eight-kilometre loop, Du Preez had opened up a 27 second lead over on his closest challenger, Fabrizio Cornegliani of Italy.
He completed the 16 kilometres in 43-minutes-49, 41 seconds to finish more than a minute and 55 seconds clear of the Italian.
Du Preez has had a meteoric para-career, but a Paralympic gold was the one missing medal from his collection.
Yesterday, team South Africa has added a silver medal to its tally at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Louzanne Ceotzee was second in the T11 1500 metres. The blind athlete ran with guide Erasmus Badenhorst.
“I’m very overwhelmed, and I couldn’t have asked for a better race, a better guide or better preparation. I’m very thankful for just how everything went down.”
The team bagged two golds at the weekend, from Ntando Mhlangu, with a long jump world record, and Anrune Weyers in the 400.
Both athletes will take part in more events.
