Emile Burgers
| Born | 22 October 2003 |
| School | Sonitus School, South Africa |
| Lives in | Pretoria, South Africa |
Story
Emile Burgers was born with a right leg shorter than the left and no right foot, His leg was amputated at birth and he was fitted with his first prosthetic at 8 months. His development has been monitored ever since.
Since then, he has developed normally and excels in softball, athletics, swimming, golf – pushing the boundaries of “isability” every day.
Since becoming a Jumping Kid Emile has…
- participates in rugby, cricket, swimming, athletics and horse riding
- selected for his school’s softball team. His team won the league in 2013
- represented Jumping Kids at its launch (2009), Is Ability Awareness Day (2011), Water4Good event (2012), Warrior Race Series, StepUp500 Challenge, Celebrity Cycle Tour (2013)
- represented Gauteng at the 2014 Nedbank National Athletics Championships where he threw a 20.05 meter distance for gold in the under-16 F44 javelin event, and secured a second gold in the long jump with a leap measuring 2.57 meters
- Boys under 16 F44 gold – long jump, shot put & javelin – plus T44 100m silver at the 2015 SASAPD Nedbank National Athletics Championships
- Certificate for Outstanding Achievement in Athletics – Gauteng North Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (September 2015)
- Unite&Excite event with Richard Whitehead (February 2016)
- Boys under-16 T/F44 – SAR in Javelin (29.96m), gold in Long Jump & Shot Put, silver in 100 meter (T44) AT Nedbank National Athletics Championships (March 2016)
- Trowing Clinic with Jackie Christiansen (April 2016)
- Boys under-16 T/F44 SA Record in Javelin (29.96m), two gold (Long Jump,Shot Put), and one silver (100 meter dash) at the SASAPD National Athletics Championships (Bloemfontein, 2016)
- 2016 Softball Player of the Year, Junior Sportsman of the Year, Academic Achievement Award at Sonitusskool Pretoria
- 2016 LSEN Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Gauteng School Sport Awards
- Nominated for the School Sport Star of the Year award at the 2017 Gauteng Sport Awards
- U-20 Men Javelin gold (34.78m) and U-18 Men Long Jump bronze (3.68m) at the 2017 International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games
- Gold in the mixed classification Javelin under 17 male final with a distance of 42.43 meters and bronze medals in both the Shot Put (7.61m) and Discus (23.98m) male under 20 finals at the 2018 International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) Youth World Games
Q&A
Best Jumping Kids moment/s
I enjoy being part of the group. The support is amazing and, every time we attend another event, there is someone new who seems afraid to dare. As soon as they see what other Jumping Kids are doing, the fear disappears and everyone are the same – just kids climbing, running and participating.
Future goal/s
I want to kick like Springbok legend, Morné Steyn. If it is not possible for me to play professional Rugby, I will consider going into coaching or make prosthetic legs like ‘Oom Johan’ (Snyders) and see the smiles as each new Jumping Kid takes his/her first steps.
Message to children living with disabilities
You are no different to others. You can make a difference so, do not be afraid to be daring.