MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Local athlete Ricardi Matthee will be interviewed on the programme, Kompas, on the national radio station, Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) this evening at 19:30.
The programme focuses on the youth and especially those who achieve exceptionally.
Ricardi has optical atrophy, a condition in which the eyesight progressively diminishes.
Despite this, he has excelled in sport and academically.
Dream
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 also showed remarkable prowess academically, besides his sport achievements.
He maintained a 64% average throughout the year and achieved a 61% aggregate for his final examination, a feat for someone with a 95% visual impairment.
African Games
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.
Excellence Award
Ricardi received an Excellence Award at the Curro Matric Gala Awards 2024 at the end of last month.
The award was for achieving academic excellence despite adverse circumstances.
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: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/ricardi-matthee-5764696183713157887.
Should you miss Ricardi's interview tonight on RSG, go to www.rsg.co.za and click on Potgooi, where you can listen to past interviews.
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