MZOXOLO BUDAZA
The two, both members of Bridgetown’s Unitie Sports Club for the Physically Disabled, were in devastating form at last month’s national championships in Bloemfontein.
The competition featured top athletes from the country’s nine provinces and the two showed why they are among the best in the country. Wyngaard, a sprinter, came back with four gold medals after winning the 100m, 200m, 400m and long jump.
His teammate Goliath, from Mitchell’s Plain, came back with a gold medal in javelin, silver in discus and a bronze in shot put.
Wyngaard can be considered a vetera, having won a number of gold medals at the national championships since 2008. It was, then, not really surprising when he set the scene alight in the city of roses with his blistering pace. He said he thinks the 400m is his speciality as he has won it four times since 2008.
“The fact that I was able to do well consistently doesn’t mean I came up against weaker opponents.
“It was a matter of the hard work that I put in during preparations, being rewarded. I practise six days a week, from Monday to Sunday, so when I go to an event, I go there to win every event I take part in,” he said.
Wyngaard said his immediate goal was to try break into the top 10 bracket, in the 400m, and hopefully qualify for the Paralympics.
Goliath, on the other hand, said he didn’t expect to win those medals, as he travelled to Bloemfontein following a recent knee operation. He said the injury had bothered him for a long time and late last year, he had to undergo the surgery.