It is the start of a new year and, when reflecting on a challenging 2017, one thing is certain, Jumping Kids finished strong.
To end 2017 off, we sent six of our young affiliates to the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games that took place in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal from November 30th to December 6th.
Emile Burgers, Megan Croucamp, Kim MacDonald and Puseletso Mabote; who are beneficiaries of the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund, as well as two of the Fund’s young ambassadors, Junior Mavuso and Ntando Mahlangu, completed the 17-member strong Para Athletics team from South Africa.
Not only did our Jumping Kids athletes add nine medals to the team tally, they also took care of one World, and three African records, which contributed to the team ending in first place over-all in the Para Athletics division at the event.
Medal results were as follows:
Gold medals
- Ntando Mahlangu (T42) – 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m (1:58.84min / WR & AR), long jump (6.12m / AR)
- Megan Croucamp (T42) – 100m (18.57s / AR)
- Emile Burgers (T44) – javelin
- Junior Mavuso (T44) – high jump
Bronze medal
- Kim Macdonald (T44) – 100m
Although the youngest of the group, 11 year old Puseletso Mabote missed out on a medal, the experience still did a great deal to boost the youngster’s confidence. He even managed to beat many more experienced, older T44 sprinters over the 100m dash.
“Sport is an important rehabilitation tool for young amputees and a focus on sport development remains a big part of the overall Jumping Kids vision. The IWAS World Games is a perfect opportunity for young athletes to gain international experience on the sports field, as well as off it. We are extremely proud of our young athletes’ conduct and achievements and look forward to following their progress this year,” says Jumping Kids Operations Manager, Michael Stevens.
