Dynamite comes in small packages, and this one packs a mean punch.
Joshua van Staden, 18, a matric pupil from Vanguard Estate is klein maar getrain, holding no fewer than THREE national records.
In two months’ time, he hopes to represent South Africa at the Nottwil World Para-Athletics Junior Championships in Switzerland.
The meet takes place on 1 to 4 August and Joshua is pumped up to better his records in
javelin, shotput and discus.
Joshua was born with Achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism, characterised by a prominent forehead, bow legs, a curved lower back and, of course, the short stature.
The teen is in matric at Vista Nova High School and he and his single mom, Rachelle Petersen, are hard at work raising the R45 000 needed to go to the competition.
“The event will be self-funded and each member is responsible for paying for themselves,” Joshua explains.
He says his mom inspired him to reach his goals.
APPEAL: Joshua and his proud mother Rachelle Petersen
“When I was overweight, my mom decided to get me into swimming classes at Headstart Swimming Club in Claremont,” he says.
“At the age of 12, I decided that I want to be in the Paralympics and joined my high school athletics PC (Physically Challenge) team. In 2017, my first year of Grade 11, I achieved my Western Province colours, and then in 2018 I competed at the SASAPD Nationals in Bloemfontein.”
Joshua set a SA record in shotput with 6.78 metre throw which is just 23cm away from the African record.
He also won gold medals in javelin and discus.
A proud Rachelle says her son now holds three national records.
At the Toyota SASAPD Championship in Stellenbosch, despite not wearing the proper shoes, Joshua again broke the South African
records for discus and javelin with throws of 19.87m and 22.37m respectively.
“I believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” adds Joshua.