Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Vision impairment
Origin of Impairment
Acquired
Classification
T13, F13
Further personal information
Residence
Stellenbosch, RSA
Occupation
Athlete, Coach, Student
Languages
Afrikaans, English
Higher education
Sports Science - University of Stellenbosch: South Africa
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
She switched from gymnastics to athletics after being diagnosed with Stargardt disease in 2006 at age 13. She initially competed in able-bodied events, before taking up Para athletics in 2011 at age 17.
Why this sport?
Her high jump coach convinced her to try Para athletics, and she was inspired to continue in the sport after meeting South African Paralympian Hilton Langenhoven at a training camp. "I started athletics in primary school just for fun when I could still see well and I particularly loved the long jump. After I lost my vision I continued with it, but it does affect your performance a little. Hilton told me about the opportunities and that it would be the best for my career. That's where my journey truly started."
Club / Team
Maties ParaSport Club: South Africa
International debut
Year
2012
Competing for
South Africa
Tournament
Paralympic Games
Location
London, ENG
General interest
Nicknames
Anika (Facebook profile, 09 Dec 2020; Instagram profile, 21 Feb 2021)
Memorable sporting achievement
Claiming a silver medal at the 2015 All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo, after struggling with injuries. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
Hero / Idol
Her grandmother. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
Injuries
She pulled her hamstring during a competition in June 2019. (Instagram profile, 09 Jun 2019)
A tendon injury prevented her from competing at the 2017 World Championships in London, England. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
Bone bruising and a torn cartilage in one of her knees prevented her from competing at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
Her preparation for the 2015 All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo, was hampered by hamstring injuries. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
She sustained a concussion in 2014 that kept her out of action for four months. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
She sustained a fracture in her back in 2012 that took her nine months to recover. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
A tendon injury prevented her from competing at the 2017 World Championships in London, England. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
Bone bruising and a torn cartilage in one of her knees prevented her from competing at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
Her preparation for the 2015 All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo, was hampered by hamstring injuries. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
She sustained a concussion in 2014 that kept her out of action for four months. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
She sustained a fracture in her back in 2012 that took her nine months to recover. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs
"I have routines. Anything can happen on competition day and I won't let little things throw me out of the zone." (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"The journey of working for a goal to make the most of my talents, grows me as a person and gives me a place to live my passion." (Athlete, 23 Oct 2015)
Awards and honours
In 2019 she was named Para Sport Female Athlete of the Year at the Maties Sports Awards in South Africa. (netwerk24.com, 04 Nov 2019)
Other sports
She has competed at national level in able-bodied high jump events. (Athlete, 23 Oct 2015)
Ambitions
To win a Paralympic medal. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
Impairment
She developed Stargardt disease at age 13. The condition means she has less than 10% vision. (Athlete, 11 Nov 2019; iol.co.za, 03 Apr 2014)
Other information
FURTHER EDUCATION
In 2017 she graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports science from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. She then continued for a master's degree in sport physiology at the same university. (sun.ac.za, 16 Apr 2019; Department of Sport Science Stellenbosch University Facebook page, 20 Dec 2017; Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
COACH AND FUTURE PLANS
She has coached athletics at a non-governmental organisation Inspired2Become in South Africa. "After my own career I want to start coaching full-time the young Para athletes I already coach part-time now. I love to invest into some young Para athletes in my free time through coaching and involvement in arranging junior Para development championships." (Instagram profile, 01 Jan 2019; Inspired2Become Facebook page, 08 Aug 2017; inspired2become.org, 01 Jan 2017; Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
In 2017 she graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports science from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. She then continued for a master's degree in sport physiology at the same university. (sun.ac.za, 16 Apr 2019; Department of Sport Science Stellenbosch University Facebook page, 20 Dec 2017; Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
COACH AND FUTURE PLANS
She has coached athletics at a non-governmental organisation Inspired2Become in South Africa. "After my own career I want to start coaching full-time the young Para athletes I already coach part-time now. I love to invest into some young Para athletes in my free time through coaching and involvement in arranging junior Para development championships." (Instagram profile, 01 Jan 2019; Inspired2Become Facebook page, 08 Aug 2017; inspired2become.org, 01 Jan 2017; Athlete, 11 Nov 2019)
Results
Unit | Date | Rank |
---|
Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Women's 100 m T13 | Heat 1 | 2012-09-05 | 3 | |
Women's 100 m T13 | Final Round | 2012-09-06 | 8 | |
Women's Long Jump F13 | Final Round | 2012-09-07 | 9999 |
Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Women's 400 m T13 | Heat 2 | 2015-10-23 | 7 | |
Women's 400 m T13 | Final 1 | 2015-10-24 | 6 | |
Women's 200 m T13 | Final 1 | 2015-10-27 | 5 | |
Women's 100 m T13 | Final 1 | 2015-10-29 | 6 | |
Women's 100 m T13 | Heat 2 | 2015-10-29 | 8 |