MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay's Ricardi Matthee, who holds a number of athletics records, was interviewed on the programme, Kompas, on the national radio station, Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) on Monday, 5 February.
The programme focuses on the youth and especially those who achieve exceptionally well. Ricardi, who turns 19 this year, spoke about the medals he has won and the records he holds.
Eyesight
Ricardi has optical atrophy, a condition in which the eyesight progressively diminishes. He competes as a T13 athlete in terms of his eyesight challenge.
His dream this year is to qualify for the Paralympic Games in Paris.
A Curro Mossel Bay independent school matric learner last year, Ricardi maintained a 64% average throughout 2023 and achieved a 61% aggregate for his final IEB examination, truly a feat for someone with 95% visual impairment.
Ricardi represented South Africa at the African Games in Athletics for athletes with disabilities in Malawi. There he won gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m events.
During the South African Championship for People with Disabilities, Ricardi attained gold in the 100m event, setting a new South African record, and won gold in the long jump and silver in the 200m.
He also won a gold medal at the SA Judo Championships in the 66kg division. Ricardi received an Excellence Award at the Curro Matric Gala Awards 2024 at the end of last month.
Excellence
The award was for achieving academic excellence despite adverse circumstances. Qualify Ricardi will be attending athletics events in South Africa and abroad in his quest to qualify for the Paralympic Games.
If you wish to support him with funding, find out more at: www.backabuddy.co.za/ champion/project/ricardimatthee-5764696183713157887.
A recording of Ricardi's interview on RSG can be found at https:// omny.fm/shows/kompas/kompas-5- februarie-2024.During the interview Ricardi discusses his passion for athletics and judo, his exercise programme, his hobbies and his athletics goals.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
