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Take a bow, Sandra Khumalo
There was a time when Sandra Khumalo lived a happy, normal life with her husband and young daughter at Singita Lodge in the Kruger Park. Then at the age of 24 in 2005, a tragic car accident changed her life irrevocably. Paralysed from the waist down, the future seemed bleak. Sandra however found new legs in the form of a single scull rowing boat.
Seven years later she boarded a plane to represent the South African Paralympic Rowing team in London. Four years on she jetted off to the Paralympic Games in Rio. At the moment she is preparing for the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
Sandra’s journey
It took many sessions with therapists and psychologists for Sandra to come to terms with the fact that she was paralysed.
Before the accident Sandra participated in sports activities at school, but she never took them seriously.
“It was only after the paralysis that I felt I wanted to conquer something physical as a personal testament that I was still alive. I wanted to show the world what this body could do – no matter how broken it was.”
It was during one of her swimming sessions that a lady told her she would do well in rowing. Sandra joined the Midlands Rowing Club in 2010 where she met members of Row SA. She soon competed successfully in several heats and qualified as a National Arms and Shoulders Rower under the watchful eye and guidance of South African Paralympic Rowing Coach, Marco Galeone.
Water is life
Being on the water gives her an overwhelming feeling of independence.
“The first time I was on the water I felt so thrilled and powerful – I realised it was the beginning of new things. When I’m on the water I’m in control of my own destiny.”
Sandra has since her accident been blessed on so many levels – one being the birth of her second daughter Seona (now five). She has also become an athlete of many very different abilities – spending many hours in the water, at gym and on the ergometer with her fellow SA Rowing team mates.
“The accident showed me that nothing is impossible – you can overcome any obstacle in your life and if you put your mind and heart to it, it will happen. My next focus is winning an Olympic medal – I don’t mind which colour, as long as I can be on that podium, that’s all that matters.”