World champion and University of Cape Town (UCT) star athlete Mpumelelo Mhlongo put on an exhilarating performance at the 2021 Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The exceptionally talented athlete came in at 11:03 seconds in the men\u2019s 100 m combined T44 and T64 class final, and 6,80 m in the men\u2019s long jump T44 final, breaking the world record in both events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a real privilege to compete with the best on the world stage and I am heartened by the response my achievement has received,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 27, Mhlongo has overcome a lot in life. He was born with amniotic band syndrome, which resulted in a clubfoot and his right leg being shorter than his left. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But with his can-do attitude, he has achieved great things \u2013 on the track and in the lecture hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He\u2019s currently completing his PhD in UCT\u2019s department of chemical engineering under the supervision of Prof Klaus M\u00f6ller. His research project focuses on converting plastic waste into diesel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mhlongo says he\u2019s elated that his achievement could bring some light and cheer to South Africa, especially as the country and the globe faces many challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf I was able to shine some light on people\u2019s lives as they go through their own individual struggles, then I\u2019m happy,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the start of the games on Tuesday 24 August, Mhlongo says there have been a few standout moments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But witnessing his friend and roommate, 19-year-old Ntando Mahlangu, win gold in the long jump T63 final, brought him the \u201cgreatest amount of joy\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mahlangu set a world record with a jump of 7,17 m beating Germany\u2019s Leon Schaefer\u2019s 7,12 m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWatching Ntando break a world record and just being part of that moment was something else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKnowing the emotional toll it took on him and witnessing how he embraced that winning moment was heart-warming and brought me so much joy,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
World champion and University of Cape Town (UCT) star athlete Mpumelelo Mhlongo put on an exhilarating performance at the 2021 Paralympics in Tokyo, 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