PE athlete wins gold at world disabled event
SHEER willpower and determination helped Port Elizabeth’s Charl Parkin clinch gold in the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Series disabled section in Rotterdam last week.
Diagnosed with motor neuron disease 10 years ago, Parkin was given two to three years to live.
He then started swimming as a means of rehabilitation and started competing after he had been classified under the PTS3 disability category.
The 49-year-old went into the ITU competition as a novice after receiving his classification card as a para-athlete two days earlier.
He went on to beat an African champion almost half his age with an impressive time of one hour, 28 minutes and 37 seconds in a race that featured a 750m swim, 20km bike ride and ended with a 5km run.
“Competing at this level was really amazing for me because it was one of the things I wanted to achieve on my bucket list,” Parkin said.
“Seeing some of the home crowd cheering us on was also motivating for the athletes from all over the world.”
After his race in Rotterdam, Parkin has embarked on an intense training camp in Germany, where he does 25km cycling trails and swims at a pool in Stuttgart.
“We are fortunate to be training in a windy city like Port Elizabeth as the wind has a good effect on our training and times,” he said.
“I have fallen in love with sport because it has taught me a lot about life.
“I have learnt to appreciate my strengths because they have helped me stay motivated throughout this illness.”
Parkin is training for the Commonwealth Games to be held next year and also hopes to compete in the 2020 Paralympic Games with the hope of getting a gold medal.
He has, however, expressed concerns about his health.
“My lungs have started to deteriorate and I am worried that this could affect my performance when I have to swim,” he said.
“We are taking it step by step and trying to keep the remaining core muscles as strong as possible.”
Aside from being an inspirational athlete, Parkin has been involved in a number of recreational projects in the Bay that assist the needy.
He is involved with the Greening Project that helps underprivileged tertiary institutions with furniture.
“We often take things for granted when we have things going our way in life,” he said.
“I have had the pleasure of making a difference in other people’s lives and this makes a difference in my life as well.”