This Down Syndrome athlete recently brought home four medals from an international athletics competition and says he is now aiming for the ultimate challenge in sport - and that is to conquer the Olympics.
Not only did Leonard Bailey, aka Lenny, 29, bag the gold, but he also set a new world record for shot put.
He represented SA at the International Athletics Association for People with Down Syndrome (IAADS) World Athletics Championships in Portugal earlier this month.
The Kleinvlei resident bagged one gold for shot put, one silver each for javelin and discus, and one bronze medal for relay.
In fact, Lenny has been the shot put world record holder for the past three years, and in 2016 he won gold for javelin and discus in Italy.
He also represented South Africa in Indoor Football in Portugal in 2017.
Video: Saafia February/Daily Voice
Lenny has now set his sights on the 2020 Paralympics.
At home, their lounge is filled with more than 20 trophies, about 80 medals and a stack of certificates of his achievements.
“I’m preparing myself for 2020. I love all my trophies and medals, but I want real gold and I know I can do it,” he says with a big smile.
His parents David and Angelina are very proud of their son, but the mom says she wishes there was more support form government in providing funding.
PROUD: With his parents David and Angelina Bailey. Photo: Jack Lestrade/Daily Voice
“We are a sport-mad family. We play all sorts of sports and we all have a great time at supporting each other,” she says.
“He has always loved sport and excelled from his school days at the Dorothea School in Stellenbosch.”
She says Lenny is constantly on the field pushing himself to the limit.
“I have approached various government departments and nobody has come close to assisting.
“Lenny almost did not go to Portugal because we did not have the funds.
“Two days before the trip, the parents of one of the other athletes came up with the R42 000 needed, and my boy broke a world record again.
UPWARD: Leonard “Lenny” Bailey, 29, with his coach Mogamat Lamara, right. Photo: Cindy Waxa / AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY /ANA
“He needs to be recognised for this,” Angelina says.
His coach Mogamat Lamara says worries about money affected Lenny’s performance.
“Although he came first in discus, he was more than five metres short of his distance,” Lamara says.
Lenny says he is proud of his team and their achievements.
“I also appreciate the support of my parents and my coach, and one day when I don’t play sport anymore, I will coach other children who are special, just like me,” he says.