A Stellenbosch para-athlete placed fourth in the men’s shot put event at the recent Paralympics, according to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics website.
“The feeling of excitement really came over me during the opening ceremony when we walked out into the stadium. That was quite breathtaking,” said Kerwin Noemdo, a South African para-athlete, about his experience competing in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. PHOTO: Instagram/Kerwin Noemdo
“I’m always grateful and humbled to be able to represent my country, but to do it on the biggest stage of any athlete’s career is something I’ll never forget,” said Kerwin Noemdo, who took fourth place on 1 September.
This was the first year that Noemdo competed in the Paralympics. He threw a distance of 15.65 metres, which broke the African record in his classification at the Paralympics, according to the Olympics website.
Kerwin Noemdo, a South African para-athlete, speaks about his experience at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. AUDIO: Kirsty Bucholz
The road to Tokyo
The 27-year-old athlete began his para-athletics journey in 2008, when he competed in his first South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD) National Championships, according to Noemdo. At the time, he was in grade eight at Paul Roos Gymnasium.
Para-athlete Kerwin Noemdo broke the African record in the shot put (F46 classification) at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, with a throwing distance of 15.65metres. PHOTO: Instagram/Team Mzansi
Just over a decade later, Noemdo qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the F46 schedule for shot put. The F46 classification is for athletes with a unilateral upper limb impairment, according to the Paralympic website.
“Qualifying for the Paralympics was quite tough, but I knew that if I broke 16 metres, there was a 99% chance that I’ll be in the [South African] team. I did that in the national champs this year in April – I threw 16.07 [metres],” said Noemdo.
Training during Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic threw a spanner in the works for Noemdo’s training plans and schedule, “especially because shot put is such a strength specific sport”.
“[N]ot being able to go to gym was really a big thing,” he said.
However, Noemdo told MatieMedia that he continued training with bodyweight exercises and resistance bands, and improvised with objects such as ten-litre water bottles. “In hindsight, it wasn’t all negative because it gave us some extra time to focus on specific techniques,” said Noemdo.
Danny Damon (left) was the coach of four South African athletes at the 2020 Paralympics: Kerwin Noemdo (right), Ntombizanele Situ, Reinhardt Hamman and Tyrone Pillay. PHOTO: Instagram/Kerwin Noemdo
“I think Kerwin is probably the hardest worker I’ve ever coached. [Y]ou can expect 100% or even more from him in every training session,” said Danny Damon, who has been Noemdo’s coach since 2019.
Kerwin Noemdo’s coach, Danny Damon, speaks about Noemdo’s achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. AUDIO: Kirsty Bucholz
Looking to the future
Noemdo has a lot of potential, and is already working towards the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, according to Damon.
Kerwin Noemdo, a South African para-athlete, told MatieMedia that on the morning of a competition day, he usually listens to praise and worship songs to motivate and calm him. Closer to competition time, he listens to hip hop/rap artists such as Russ and Drake to give him extra confidence. PHOTO: Instagram/Reinhardt Hamman
“We know that while we’re working towards Paris 2024, we will definitely be in the medals. The potential is there, and Kerwin is growing as an athlete,” said Damon. “He’s enjoying athletics and that is the most important thing – just to see that the athlete is enjoying himself.”
Tyrone Pillay, a friend and fellow Paralympian to Noemdo, said that Noemdo’s dedication and drive is “a quality that should be admired”.
Tyrone Pillay, a fellow para-athlete, speaks about Kerwin Noemdo’s achievement of fourth place at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. AUDIO: Kirsty Bucholz
“Coming fourth…I must say it’s a bit bittersweet because you know you’re so close to the medals, […] but I’m happy nonetheless. I understand that it wasn’t my time yet, and better and greater things are still to come,” said Noemdo.
Kerwin Noemdo, a South African para-athlete, speaks about what gets him up in the morning. AUDIO: Kirsty Bucholz