Kerwin Noemdo

Started: He first got into sport at age eight. (iol.co.za, 08 Dec 2017; sun.ac.za, 20 Jun 2017) Reason: One of his mother's friends recognised his talent and persuaded him to start competing. "She approached me at a school event and suggested I try out Para sport. I was hesitant as I had been playing my sport normally at school and had never heard of Para sport. I then participated in my first national championship in grade eight [first year of high school] in Stellenbosch, and then my eyes were opened. I did not know this world existed. The more I did it, the more I enjoyed it. I found a second home in Para sport, and saw an opportunity to represent my country, which I always wanted to do." (SASAPD YouTube channel, 02 Mar 2021; iol.co.za, 08 Dec 2017; sun.ac.za, 20 Jun 2017) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (toyotaconnect.co.za, 19 Mar 2024) Awards: He was named Male Para Sport Star at Stellenbosch University's 2019 Maties Sport Awards in South Africa. (sun.ac.za, 04 Nov 2019) Additional Info: FURTHER EDUCATION In 2020 he began studying online for a diploma in environmental quality assessment and monitoring. In 2022 he obtained a postgraduate diploma in HIV/AIDS management from Stellenbosch University in South Africa. "It's a nice and a proud feeling to know that I have successfully completed something I am committed to. I've always wanted to be a Paralympian and have two degrees, which happened for me. It is something I am proud of." (iol.co.za, 30 Apr 2023; sun.ac.za, 19 Apr 2022; matiemedia.org, 08 Sep 2020; Long Shot Throws Instagram profile, 15 Aug 2020)