Sheryl James

Started: She took up the sport in 2018 at age 32 in Louis Trichardt, South Africa. "I ran my first 400m at the beginning of 2019 with some of the kids from the local high school. My coach, who had only been working with me for a few months, told me to run recklessly, and I loved the idea. I hit the 300m mark, and something just happened. It was like the muscles in my leg just didn't work, and I took a somersault and ended up on my face. I had to get up, took a few strides, and fell again. Yeah, I got up and finished the race." (The Sports Trust YouTube channel, 10 Mar 2022; Athlete, 11 Nov 2019; Athlete, 02 Sep 2024) Reason: She had participated in long-distance running between 2010 and 2015 before transitioning to shorter distances in Para athletics. (unbridling.co.za, 15 Mar 2024) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (news24.com, 02 Sep 2021)

Sporting Relatives: Her brother Craig James has played polocross and polo at international level. Her great grandfather NJ 'Jack' Druten played rugby for South Africa in the 1920s. (Athlete, 02 Sep 2024)