Born: 1971 (Kokstad, South Africa)
Biography:
Ntombizanele Situ, better known as Zanele Situ, was born on 19 January 1971 in Kokstad, South Africa. She is a Paralympian athlete who competes mainly in category F54 throwing events. Situ specialized in the javelin throw and has achieved remarkable success throughout her career.
Situ’s life took a challenging turn when, at the age of twelve, she experienced weakness in her legs, rendering her unable to walk. Medical tests revealed a tuberculosis infection in her spine, which resulted in Situ entering a two-year semi-coma. As a consequence, she was paralyzed from the fourth vertebra down, leading to her reliance on a wheelchair for mobility.
Despite her physical limitations, Situ proved to be a resilient and determined individual. She continued her education at Mthatha and demonstrated an exceptional spirit, refusing to let her disability define her. It was in the realm of sports that Situ truly shone, making a name for herself as a formidable javelin thrower.
Situ made her international debut at the 1998 IPC Athletics World Championships in Birmingham, England. Competing in both javelin and discus events, she secured a gold medal in the javelin throw with a best distance of 14.45 meters and a bronze in the discus throw. This breakthrough performance set the stage for her future successes.
In the 2000 Summer Paralympics held in Sydney, Situ attained extraordinary achievements. She claimed a gold medal in the F52-54 javelin throw and a silver in the F51-54 discus throw. This historic triumph made Situ the first ever female South African black athlete to secure a Paralympic gold medal, cementing her status as a trailblazer and an inspiration to many.
Continuing her winning streak, Situ defended her javelin world title in Lille two years later. Although her discus performance improved significantly, adding nearly two meters to her distance from Birmingham, it landed her in fourth place. Regardless, Situ’s accolades did not go unnoticed by her country. In 2003, she was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga (silver) for her exceptional contributions to sport.
The Athens 2004 Summer Paralympics marked another milestone in Situ’s career as she successfully defended her javelin title. While she did not secure a podium finish in the shot put or discus events, the International Paralympic Committee recognized her as the female athlete who best embodied the spirit of the Games, honoring her with the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award.
After Athens, Situ faced a challenging period in her sporting career, struggling to reach the podium in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing. However, she experienced a resurgence in 2011 when she won a bronze medal at the Christchurch World Championships. Nevertheless, the emergence of formidable competitors such as Tunisia’s Hania Aidi and China’s Yang Liwan posed new challenges for Situ on her quest for titles.
Situ participated in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, where she achieved a distance of 16.22 meters in the javelin throw. Despite her impressive performance, she narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fourth place. Between the 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympics, Situ secured two more world bronze medals, in Lyon (2013) and Doha (2015), further solidifying her position as an accomplished athlete.
Throughout her career, Zanele Situ has overcome immense obstacles to become a symbol of resilience and excellence in the world of Paralympic athletics. Her achievements as the first female South African black athlete to win a Paralympic gold medal have left an indelible mark on the annals of women’s history. Situ’s determination, strength, and dedication have inspired countless individuals around the world to never give up on their dreams, regardless of adversity.
Awards:
– Gold Medal, 1998 IPC Athletics World Championships (Javelin Throw)
– Gold Medal, 2000 Summer Paralympics (F52-54 Javelin Throw)
– Silver Medal, 2000 Summer Paralympics (F51-54 Discus Throw)
– Gold Medal, 2002 IPC Athletics World Championships (Javelin Throw)
– Order of Ikhamanga (Silver), 2003
– Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award, 2004 Summer Paralympics