COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2002
Natalie du Toit creates history
Brad Morgan
2 August 2002
South African disabled swimmer Natalie du Toit made history when she qualified for the final of the 800 metres freestyle at the Commonwealth Games - the first time in history that an elite athlete with disability has qualified for the final of an able-bodied event. In Kuala Lumpur four years ago, competing as an able-bodied athlete, Du Toit qualified for the B-final of the 800 metres.
Du Toit earlier claimed South Africa's first gold medal in the swimming pool when she won the Elite Athlete with Disability 50 metres freestyle. At the Commonwealth Games, medals won by able-bodied and disabled athletes both count towards the overall medals table.
"The greatest thing mentally about making it through to the final is to show other disabled athletes what can be done", Du Toit said of her achievement. On Thursday she said she was hoping to concentrate on the longer events, her ultimate goal being to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Games in
Athens.
There was some medal success for South Africa in the pool as Roland Schoeman, Sarah Poewe and Helene Muller all won silver medals. Schoeman finished second to world champion Geoff Huegill in the men's 50 metres butterfly, with the Australian touching in a Commonwealth record 23.57 seconds and Schoeman in 23.66. Liesel Jones relegated Sarah Poewe to second in the 200 metres breaststroke, winning by a second-and-a-half, while Jodie Henry clocked 55.45 to win the 100 metres freestyle, with Muller second in 55.60.
South African shottists added more medals to their impressive haul when Francois van Tonder picked up his third bronze medal of the Games in the 50m pistol and Jaco Henn ended third in the 50m rifle prone.
Boxing
A further two bronze medals were won despite South African boxers suffering losses. Both light-heavyweight Danie Venter and flyweight Lubabalo Msutu suffered defeats in the semi-finals of their respective
competitions, but that means they do at least win bronze medals. Venter lost on points to Nigeria's Jegbefumere Albert, going down 30-18, while Msutu lost 34-23 to Botswana's Lechedzani Luza. "I just didn't do enough to win. I'm disappointed though, I was dreaming of gold," said Msutu.
Welterweight Kwanele Zulu, however, will be able to chase after the dream of gold. He defeated Namibia's Ali Nuumbembe 39-30 on points to set up a gold medal bout against Australia's Daniel Geale.
The showing by South Africa's boxers has been a bright point for the Commonwealth Games team. At Kuala Lumpur in 1998 all they had to show for their efforts was a bronze medal, won by Phumzile Mathyila. This time around, however, their results have been vastly improved.
Hockey
South Africa's women's hockey team, after a very disappointing loss to India, in which they let slip a three-nil lead to lose four-three, put up a far better showing against Scotland
in the playoff for fifth place, to edge the tough Scots four-three in extra time.
Sophie Mayer put the South Africans ahead within the first 10 minutes and Pietie Coetzee doubled the advantage after 27 minutes from a penalty corner. However, only three minutes later Emma Rochlin pulled one back for the Scots. Emma Simpson equalised 10 minutes into the second half, but South Africa pulled ahead again when, with Scotland reduced to 10 players, Jennifer Wilson netted. Scotland came back once more through Samantha Judge to force extra time.
Pietie Coetzee secured the win for the South Africans with her 123rd goal in 124 internationals, and her competition leading tenth goal. "I don't think too much about my scoring total. I came here to try to improve my game, which I think I have done. If I do that, the goals will come," she said afterwards.
South Africa's men's hockey team faces Australia in the semi-finals on Friday. Earlier in the competition the Australians won
four-one, although some of South Africa's star players were missing from the team on that occasion. Coach Rob Pullen was positive in assessing his team’s chances of adding to the country's medal haul, saying: "After beating England 1-0 we're in a good position to win a medal right now."
Meanwhile, Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe continued his quest for seven gold medals when he anchored the four-by-200 metres freestyle relay team to victory to claim his fourth gold. Sarah Price of England set a Commonwealth record to win the women's 100 metres breaststroke.
Medal standings
To date, Australia tops the medal standings with 130 medals in total, including 52 golds. England is second with 108 medals, including 39 golds, and Canada lies third with 80 medals, including 21 golds. India is in fourth place with 51 medals, including 20 golds, and South Africa is in fifth position with 24 medals, including six golds.
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