Natalie's star shines brightest
Brad Morgan
8 October 2003
Disabled swimming star Natalie du Toit delivered another astounding performance against able-bodied opposition, winning the gold medal in the 800 metres freestyle at the All Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria.
Du Toit, who lost her lower left leg in a motorcycle accident two years ago, clocked nine minutes 9.66 seconds to hold off second-placed Shrone Austin of the Seychelles by just under four seconds.
Du Toit took the lead early in the race, moving ahead at the 150-metre mark. She increased her advantage to over six seconds before Austin pulled it back a little with a strong finishing effort.
At the Commonwealth Games last year, Du Toit made a big splash (excuse the pun) when she competed in the final of the able-bodied 800 metres freestyle, and set two world records as she won gold in events for elite athletes with disabilities. It earned Natalie the Games'
highest honour.
Besides Du Toit, Lauren Roets has been a powerhouse for South Africa in the swimming events, winning four gold medals, with the possibility of more to come. There have also been Games records for Romy Altmann in the 100 metres backstroke, for Lize-Mari Retief in the 50 metres butterfly, for the women's four by 100 metres freestyle relay team, for Kurt Muller in the 50 metres breaststroke, and for Kirsten van Heerden in the 400 metres individual medley.
Strong start for Team SA
Strong performances in the swimming pool have spearheaded a hot start to the All Africa Games for South Africa's team. After Tuesday's competition, South Africa topped the medal table with 37 overall, made up of 16 gold, 12 silver and nine bronze medals.
That's 10 medals clear of second-placed Egypt, who trail South Africa by 10 gold medals and three silver medals, with 12 of their 27 medals having come for third-place finishes. Algeria is
a long way back in third place, with four gold, three silver and four bronze medals, for a haul of 11 in total.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics has also proved to be a good medal hunting ground for South Africa. Kudos must go to Dewald Laubscher, who won the men's all-round title for the third time in succession, having previously done the trick in Harare in 1995 and in Johannesburg in 1999.
Kerry Joyce won the women's all-round title, while Zandre Labuschagne finished in bronze medal position. Joyce also claimed gold on the uneven bars in individual competition, while Labuschagne, who beat Roets in the all-round at the South African Championships, took victory in the vault.
On the men's side, Atholl Myhill, who took bronze on the rings at the Commonwealth Games in 1998 and 2002, improved by two places at the All Africa Games to take gold, while Julian Witbooi picked up a bronze medal on the floor.
In the gymnastics team competition,
South Africa won the women's title, while the men played second fiddle to Algeria.
Stirring victory
There was a stirring victory for South Africa in the badminton team competition, with the gold medal tie going down to the wire. It all came down to the mixed doubles match against Nigeria, and Antoinette Uys and Chris Dednam responded well, winning two-one to seal the win.
In the individual squash competition, Adrian Hansen sent shock-waves rippling through the draw when he disposed of fourth-seed Wael El Hindi 8-10 9-1 10-9 10-8 in a second round match.
On the football fields, the women's soccer team is guaranteed a medal after they beat Algeria 3-1.
South Africa won 71 gold, 64 silver and 49 bronze medals to top the standings when Johannesburg hosted the All Africa Games in 1999.
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