International para-athletics sensation Puseletso Mabote reached another career milestone on Sunday evening, 23 August 2026, taking home the prestigious Sportsman of the Year with a Disability award at the South Africa Sport Awards.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Sports for Students with Disabilities Club star continues to captivate global track and field audiences with his explosive performances in the 100m sprint and long jump.
Mabote’s journey to the top of world athletics is rooted in sheer resilience. At age ten, a life-altering road traffic accident led to the amputation of his right leg. Refusing to let circumstances define his future, Mabote channeled his energy into sport.
His path took a transformative turn when he connected with the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund, which introduced him to para-athletics and provided the high-performance prosthetics needed to compete at an elite level. Just two years after picking up the sport, he donned the national colors at the IWAS World Games in Portugal, marking his international debut.
Since that breakthrough, Mabote’s rise through the global ranks has been meteoric:
Record-Breaking Speed: Set an African record in the T63 100m sprint with a blistering time of 12.05 seconds in Paris.
Global Ranking: Solidified his status as the world’s second-fastest T63 sprinter in 2025.
Leaping to Greatness: Holds the T64 long jump African record with a massive 7.01m leap, earning a No. 4 world ranking in the event.
At just 20 years of age, Mabote had already represented South Africa at two Paralympic Games, earned World Championship medals, broken world and continental records, and become a World Champion. His achievements reflect exceptional commitment, discipline, and perseverance, making him one of South Africa’s brightest sporting talents.
During the SASAPD National Championships, in March 2026 in Stellenbosch. Mabote rewrote the record books by setting a new World Record in the Men’s T63 400m, clocking an incredible 1:00.74. This historic performance demonstrated not only his sprinting ability but also his versatility across multiple disciplines, further establishing him as one of the world’s premier para-athletes.
His relentless drive has taken him across the globe, flying the South African and UJ flags high in elite competitions across Spain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium, India, and on home soil.
This award amplifies Mabote’s extraordinary raw talent and work ethic, and the power of sport to redefine potential in the face of adversity.
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