Masala Makatu delivers Team SA’s first athletics medal in Glasgow

The 20-year-old visually impaired sprinter finally gave Athletics South Africa something to celebrate after a quiet opening five days of competition on the track. His impressive run also increased Team SA’s medal tally to 23.

Makatu produced a personal best on the major championship stage and earned himself the R100 000 medal incentive that was announced by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) before the team left for Scotland.

The young sprinter admitted that he never expected to win a medal at his first Commonwealth Games.

"It's an overwhelming feeling and I feel very privileged to represent my country. I didn't hope to win a medal, instead I just came here to run and have fun as it was my first Commonwealth Games, but God had other plans for me to win silver and I'm really happy about that."

READ: LJ van Zyl hopeful athletics team can still deliver medals in Glasgow

Makatu said he blocked out everything around him during the race and concentrated only on reaching the finish line. 

He showed great determination, making up significant ground in the closing stages to secure a place on the podium and deliver South Africa’s first athletics medal of the Games.

"The only person pushing me was the guy to my left and he ended up pushing me to run a really good time."

The talented athlete is already looking ahead to next season as he hopes to qualify for the World Championships in China next year and continue building towards the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.