Personal Background

My name is Mandilene Hoffmann, and I’m a 22-year-old South African para athlete.
At the age of 12, I was diagnosed with EZH2 Overgrowth Syndrome, a rare genetic condition. I’ve lived with severe scoliosis, requiring a rigid back brace for 12 years, and bilateral patellar dislocations. I also lost complete function in my right leg above the knee.

Despite these challenges, I discovered my strength and purpose through sport — transforming physical adversity into an opportunity to excel, inspire, and redefine what’s possible.

Introduction to Para Athletics

I began my para-athletics journey in 2017, where I found a passion that quickly turned into a pursuit of excellence.
Through discus, shot put, and javelin, I’ve learned the art of resilience, dedication, and performance at the highest level. With the guidance of skilled coaches and unwavering determination, I’ve refined my technique and expanded my potential with each competition.

My Vision and Future Goals

My journey has taught me that resilience creates strength and that every challenge is an opportunity to rise higher.
Looking ahead, I aim to:

• Compete internationally and bring home more medals for South Africa

• Raise awareness for EZH2 Overgrowth Syndrome through motivational speaking and media outreach

• Inspire the next generation of adaptive athletes to see possibility where others see limits

• Partner with sponsors and organizations to support para-sport development across the country

Major Achievements

• 🥇 Para Junior World Champion 2019 – Discus (Classes F42–F47) at age 15

• 🌍 Selected for the Senior Para-Athletic World Championships (2019)

• 🌍 Former African Record Holder – Discus (Class F44)

• 🇿🇦 Member of South Africa’s 2022 Commonwealth Games Team – Placed 4th (Raza Points System)

• 🥉 World Ability Games 2022 Bronze Medalist – Shot Put (after reclassification to F57)

• 🏅 Current South African Record Holder – Shot Put and Discus (Class F57)

• 🏆 F44 Under-15 & Under-17 Record Holder – Javelin, Discus, and Shot Put

Beyond the Field

I hope to share my story through motivational speaking, mentorship, and storytelling — including potential collaborations for documentaries or podcasts that highlight the power of determination and hope.
My ultimate goal is to turn my athletic journey into a platform that inspires thousands to chase their dreams — no matter the odds.

Favourite Quote

“Resilience is not about what you go through — it’s about how you rise after it.”

Began athletics at 12 years old.

Paralympics attended: 0

Junior world championship,
Sarja 9 games , Commenwealth Games
IWAS Games

Provincial representation 8

Records Class F57 Shotput 8,41m
discus 26m. SA record

Personal Background

I’m Kerwin Noemdo, a South African Paralympic athlete from Bellville, Cape Town. At birth, the umbilical cord damaged my right hand; a few months later it was amputated below the elbow. I never saw that as something that would hold me back.

Schools: Excelsior Primary; Paul Roos Gymnasium
Tertiary: BSc Conservation Ecology (2017) & PGDip HIV/AIDS Management – Stellenbosch University

How I Got Into Para Athletics

My para athletics journey began in 2008 (Grade 8) when a coach spotted me at a school meet and invited me to try para sport. I first wore the green and gold in 2011 at the IWAS World Games.

Career Highlights

• Paralympic Games: Tokyo 2020 (held 2021) – 4th in Shot Put F46 (15.65 m, African Record)

• World Para Athletics Championships: 4 appearances; Bronze – Paris 2023 (15.30 m)

• Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: second Paralympic appearance

• Classification: F46 (Shot Put)

Training & Mindset

From a back injury before the 2019 Worlds to COVID-19 lockdown training with bodyweight and bands, every setback sharpened my discipline, patience, and faith. I’m defined not by disability, but by the effort I bring every day.

Goals

Los Angeles 2028: back to work, chasing 16+ metres and the Paralympic podium.

Favourite Quote

“Limits are only where we choose to place them.”

Started training in 2008.

Paralympics attended: 2

World Championships attended: 5

Other major International Competitions: IWAS 2011,2022 & 2023

Number Provincial team representation: 17

Best Performances: 16,22m

Records: African record holder

Personal Background

I was born with an underdeveloped arm (a shortened arm without a hand). My journey into para athletics began at a school competition in Naboomspruit when I was about 15 years old. During the discus event, another para-athlete saw me competing and told me that I could potentially set a South African or even African record — and that I might one day qualify for the Paralympic Games.

Local and international competitions soon followed, and I gradually became part of a dedicated network of athletes, coaches, and supporters who helped me turn my passion into a purpose-driven career.

How I Got Into Para Athletics

At that same school athletics meet, Simone and her father noticed me throwing the discus. After the event, they approached me and told me I had just broken a South African or African record. They introduced me to the world of para athletics and helped my mother get me signed up for competitions.

Before that day, I had no idea that para athletics even existed — or that I could compete. That single encounter changed my life and opened the door to the incredible journey I’m on today.

What Sport Means to Me

Sport is my passion.
It teaches me discipline, perseverance, and faith, even when challenges come my way. It reminds me to focus on my progress rather than my setbacks and to keep striving for improvement every day.

Through sport, I’ve built confidence, strength, and resilience. It gives me the opportunity to be a role model for others — to show that if I can do it, so can you, as long as you’re willing to work hard and find solutions to your challenges.

Every day on the sports field, I aim to be better than yesterday. Athletics has taught me to be mentally strong, to love the process, and to continuously grow into the best version of myself.

My Goals

My biggest goal is to win a gold medal at the 2028 Paralympic Games and prove to myself that no dream is too big and no goal is out of reach.

I also aim to become a sponsored professional athlete — someone who has built a strong personal brand, inspires others, and shows what is possible through hard work, dedication, and belief in yourself.

Favourite Quote

“As long as you work and keep trying, you will never be a failure.”

Started training in 2021.

Paralympics attended: 0

World Championships attended: Shotput- 5 and Javelin- 5

Other major International Competitions: Shotput- 2 and Javelin- 2

Number Provincial team representation: Shotput- 5 and Javelin- 5

Best Performances: Shotpout- 1st 10.47. Javelin- 1st 36.69 and Discus- 1st 34.52

Records:SA & Africa for shotput, Javelin and Discus.

Awards the last 4 years: Shotput- Mpumalanga Finalist and Javelin- Mpumalanga Finalist.

Personal Background

I am Manie Blom, and I was born with a genetic condition that caused me to gradually lose my sight between the ages of 7 and 8. Eventually, I was declared legally blind.

Despite this challenge, I refused to let my disability define me — instead, I allowed it to fuel my determination to achieve greatness through sport.

Introduction to Para Athletics

About 15 years ago, I was introduced to the world of para athletics, and it quickly became my passion and purpose.

In 2017, I proudly represented South Africa for the first time at the World Games in London, where I won a gold medal in discus (F12). Since then, my focus has shifted primarily to shot put, one of the most competitive and technically demanding events globally. Competing against some of the strongest athletes in the world has driven me to continuously refine my skills and strength.

Major Achievements

• 🥇 Gold Medalist – Discus (F12), World Games, London (2017)

• 💪 Transitioned to Shot Put, mastering a new event against world-class competition

• 🇿🇦 Qualified for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Shot Put – achieved 7th place

Goals

Looking ahead to the 2028 Paralympic Games, my mission is clear — not just to compete, but to fight for the top podium spot.

With over 15 years of dedication, every moment of training, sweat, and perseverance is leading toward one goal: to perform at my best on the greatest stage in sport.

My vision is to inspire others with disabilities to believe that determination and hard work can overcome any limitation.

Beyond the Field

Through my athletic journey, I’ve learned that true strength lies not in physical ability but in mental resilience and passion. My story is not only about medals — it’s about proving that success comes from refusing to give up.

I continue to train, compete, and inspire others to see possibility beyond challenges, and to use sport as a path to purpose and empowerment.

Favourite Quote

“As long as you work and keep trying, you will never be a failure.”

Started training in 2012.

Paralympics attended: 1

World Championships attended: Shotput- 2 and Discus- 1

Other major International Competitions: Shotput- 2 and Discus- 2

Number Provincial team representation: Shotput- 14 and Discus- 14

Best Performances: Discus- 1st and Shotput- 1st 

Records: SA Record for Shotput

Personal Background

My name is Dowayne, and I was born with a condition called hydrocephalus, commonly known as “water on the brain.”
After birth, doctors inserted a VP shunt to drain excess fluid from my brain — a procedure that saved my life but affected my walking.

I lived with my first shunt for 11 years before it became blocked in 2004. Two weeks after a second shunt was inserted, it too became blocked and had to be replaced. I now have my third shunt, which continues to function well — all glory to God.

How I Got Into Para Athletics

While attending Eros School, one of my teachers saw potential in me and encouraged me to try shot put and discus.
I competed for the first time at the Nedbank National Championships in 2011, where I threw 6.65 metres as a standing thrower — setting my first South African record.

In 2023, I joined Maties ParaSport as a seated shot put thrower under the guidance of my coach, Uncle Danny. With his support, I’ve broken my own South African record twice — improving from 8.71 m to 8.87 m — and I’m determined to keep pushing for more.

Training and Motivation

My journey hasn’t been easy — living with hydrocephalus, enduring multiple brain surgeries, and adapting to new ways of moving have tested my strength and patience.
But every obstacle has become an opportunity to prove that faith, consistency, and heart matter more than circumstance.

Training at Maties ParaSport has been life-changing. The community, coaching, and support have helped me develop not only as an athlete but as a person who knows that purpose is found in perseverance.

Goals

• 🌍 Set a new African record in F34 Shot Put

• 💪 Continue improving personal bests and represent South Africa internationally

• 💫 Inspire both disabled and able-bodied individuals to believe in themselves and never give up

Favourite Quote

“All glory to God — for every challenge, every victory, and every chance to rise again.”

Started training in 2008.

Paralympics attended: 

World Championships attended: 

Other major International Competitions: 

Number Provincial team representation: 

Best Performances: 8.71

Records:8.71