They’re putting on for the continent!
Paralympians Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole just made history as the first South Africans to win a medal in wheelchair tennis at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, Reuters reports. The duo won the bronze medal in quad doubles, defeating Brazilians Leandro Pena and Ymanitu Silva 6-2 4-6 10-8. The win marked the first medal in wheelchair tennis for South Africa, bringing the country’s total medal count to 4.
Celebrating their victory after years of perseverance, 31-year-old Ramphadi, who developed brittle bone disease at the age of 12, won the French Open doubles last year and became a finalist in doubles at the last two Australian Opens.
“This venue is something special. Last year I won my first Grand Slam here on my birthday, now I have a Paralympic bronze medal. For me, to be here and winning a medal is crazy – I am just going to enjoy the moment,” Ramphadi told reporters.
37-year-old Sithole also has his own story of triumph. He lost his legs in a train accident when he was 12 years old and went on to win the U.S. Open singles in 2013 and the Australian Open doubles in 2015. Sithole says he doesn’t take his Paralympic win lightly.
“It is our first big medal playing together, and we’re very happy to write history. I was so happy to play with Donald today. He brought his A-game, even though he was nervous and made double faults – he owes me a whiskey…We were here to win today, not just represent,” said Sithole.
Ramphadi and Sithole’s bronze medal also marks the first in wheelchair tennis for the entire continent of Africa.
Cover photo: Donald Ramphadi & Lucas Sithole Make History as First South Africans to Win Paralympic Medal in Wheelchair Tennis/2024 Paralympic Bronze Medalists Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole of South Africa celebrate their bronze medal win/Photo Credit: Jennifer Lorenzini/REUTERS