South Africa’s Paralympic team continued to rake in the medals at Rio 2016, moving to 17 on the penultimate day of competition.

Dyan Buis and Hilton Langenhoven helped maintain Team SA’s momentum on the medals table in Rio de Janeiro.
Buis joined Charl du Toit and Ilse Hayes as a double medal winner as he added T38 400m gold to his long jump bronze while Langenhoven loped to silver in the T12 200m in a time of 22.43.

Making it even better a day for Buis was the fact that his 49.46sec win was a Paralympic record.

‘It was quite emotional for me out there becauseI knew we’d worked hard this season.’ said Buis. ‘It was marvellous. My lane draw was perfect and I fed on the runners in front of me – especially the Tunisian and Chinese guy, and then the last 200m i attacked.

‘I have to give credit to coach Suzanne Ferreira and the team around me like the physios, stakeholders and and my gym coach.

‘Tonight I also wanted to run for my wife Erna and little daughter, Jinne, which was huge motivation.

‘As for the future I’m just going to take it as it comes. I’m not thinking of quitting right now but I also have to focus on my teaching career… I need a job right now, so come on guys, if there’s anyone listening out there.

‘I’ll go home a very happy man. The last four years weren’t the easiest of my life but I’m just happy that it all worked well today.’

Langenhoven was beaten to gold by Cuba’s Leinier Savon Pineda who won in 22.23.

‘I’m delighted to end off the Games for me with a silver… This was going to be my last race but now I’m thinking of World Champs next year where I’ll focus on the long jump.

’It was a bit disappointing start to the Games with that disqualification but  now I’m chuffed, and I’ll take a silver any day… we hadn’t really focused on the 200m – it was more for speed-endurance for that 400m.

‘But gold and silver for me is fantastic.. I’ve got seven Paralympic medals now so you an say that I’m in seventh heaven!’