Sheryl still our champ!

Date: 13 September 2024 By: Andries van Zyl

She might not have returned home with another Paralympic medal - having just missed out on a second bronze in the 400m at the Paris Paralympics last week - but Sheryl James remains a true champion in the hearts and minds of residents.

The 38-year-old Sheryl touched down on South African soil again on Tuesday, returning to her hometown of Louis Trichardt and reflecting on her second Paralympic experience. This time around, she competed in the 100m, 200m, and 400m events for T37 athletes, finishing seventh overall in the women’s 200m on 30 August, fourth overall in the final of the women’s 400m on 3 September, and eighth overall in the final of the women’s 100m event on 5 September. At the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympic Games, she won a bronze medal in the women’s 400m event for T37 athletes.

“When I entered the stadium for the 200m and the French crowd cheered when their athlete was introduced, I could feel how that tangible passion for their country lifted the French athlete. In a tough race, I finished seventh. In the 400m, with some physical strain, I managed to take fourth place in a strong field of athletes. It was still a blessing,” said Sheryl just prior to taking part in her last event, the 100m, last week.

According to Sheryl, victories and defeats are part of life. “But being at the Paralympics where worlds collide, it becomes evident how broken we all are. Sometimes, all we need is love. For me, there is no truer love than the love of Jesus Christ ... in our victories and defeats. What matters is Jesus in the present ... right now,” said Sheryl.

Sheryl spoke of a book by Ed Delph called "Richly Blessed, Deeply Loved, Highly Favoured, Amazingly Graced" she’s been reading, and something in the book resonated with her during the recent Paris Games: Delph's take on, as he puts it, "growing past passivity".

“Ed speaks of a God who is passionate for his creation. Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again because of his passion for us. We are God's creation and his vessels, and He is passionate about us ... that's tangible ... much bigger but, in a way, can be likened to how the French crowd's passion for their athlete was tangible. So yes, that's where I am now ... reminded to live with fierce, passionate perseverance for a better tomorrow,” said Sheryl.

Accompanying her to the Paris Paralympics were her parents, Chris and Sandy James, as well as Elmien van der Goot, her physiotherapist (physio), and Karen Louw, her personal body-conditioning and Pilates coach. Sheryl remarked that she was blessed to have them there, although they did not have access to her in the Olympic/Paralympic village all the time. Access was controlled, and extreme safety measures were in place.

Also reflecting on her first Paralympic experience was Elmien. She’s been Sheryl’s physio since Sheryl started preparing for and running the Comrades in 2010. Since then, Sheryl has completed three Comrades Marathons. Elmien has also been part of Sheryl’s Parasport journey since 2017.

“The Paralympics were bigger, better, and more than I could have ever imagined. More intense, more emotional, more professional, and more special. Experiencing the level of international competition there was so enlightening. It truly is the best of the best in the world competing there. The fact that all the participants had to overcome so many more emotional and physical challenges to compete filled me with humble gratitude and absolute respect for every athlete!” said Elmien.

Regarding this, Elmien said that it was her experience that the South African team can hold its own against any team in the world. “It would be so special if more participants could be reached, so that the team can grow, and more athletes with physical challenges can have the opportunity to compete on the world stage,” said Elmien.

Elmien said that seeing Sheryl compete at that level at the Paris Paralympics was probably the proudest feeling she had ever had. “Just to say I know her! She was focused and calm, and gave her best in her preparation, her diet, her training, and certainly on the day of each race. The genuine joy with which she competed and then congratulated the other winners reflected her character and mindset. Sheryl is certainly Louis Trichardt’s ‘Golden Girl’, who lives her testimony for Jesus wherever she goes,” said Elmien.

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Andries van Zyl

Andries joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in April 1993 as a darkroom assistant. Within a couple of months he moved over to the production side of the newspaper and eventually doubled as a reporter. In 1995 he left the newspaper group and travelled overseas for a couple of months. In 1996, Andries rejoined the Zoutpansberger as a reporter. In August 2002, he was appointed as News Editor of the Zoutpansberger, a position he holds until today.

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