SA para-athlete Louzanne Coetzee deems 2024 a successful year

Coetzee clinched bronze in the World Championships in Japan earlier this year and also bagged a silver medal at the Paralympics in Paris in the 1500m T11 event.

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Speaking to SABC Sport Coetzee says winning a medal at the Games was encouraging. 

"My biggest highlight for the year would have been the bronze at the Paralympic Games and I think it's been a really interesting year. It's been one of my most difficult years but it's also been one of my most rewarding years," Coetzee said.

Coetzee won silver in the 1500m T11 event at the Paris World Championships last year. The 31-year-old struggled with an injury earlier this year before going to the World Champs in Japan.

She says this year was proof of her mental strength.

"I think I've learnt that I'm more resilient than I thought I was. I've really surprised myself there and it's been a challenge but I think it's all the balance of life in general with your sports because not everybody can make a career out of sport,” she added.

“I think it's about balancing and about being willing to put in the effort and making time for everything and prioritising things that are important and things that are less important. So, yeah, I really think it has been a great year. I'm thankful for where the year led me."