PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The hard work and dedication of former Plettenberg Bay resident and Paralympian Toni Mould was recognised when she was awarded the title Sportswoman of the Year with a disability.
She received the award from the Cape Winelands Sports Council this week and was recognised for her accomplishments, including her inclusion in the Paralympics in Tokyo a year ago.
The 37-year-old paracyclist suffers from cerebral palsy that affects all her muscles, her balance and her speech. She grew up in Plettenberg Bay but has been living in Stellenbosch since her tertiary studies took her there.
Mould said she only started cycling in 2013 when she gave in to a friend's "nagging" for her to try out the sport. She had always had a passion for sport growing up, but there were not many opportunities to participate in sport for the disabled in Plett.
It is also the reason why she regularly ploughs back into her community like she did recently, spending time with Plett children with disabilities to teach them the ins and outs of riding a tricycle.
In 2012 she reconnected with a friend who had just been to the London Paralympics in paracycling, who encouraged her to start because she knew she enjoyed cycling and had an old tricycle.
It didn't take long for her to start accomplishing great feats. After only nine months of racing in a local league, an event organiser saw her potential to race at national level. She however needed a newer and lighter trike. It took 18 months to raise funds for her new wheels, but in February 2015 she took part in her first South African championship.
Since then she has attended every year's nationals, been to four World Cup competitions and three World Championships in four different countries.
She was included in the Paralympics team last year and participated in the T1-2 road race and time trial.
Mould dedicated her award to "Team Toni" - her supporters - who she said made many sacrifices to help her do her best on the bike and remain healthy. "I am absolutely humbled to have such a support team and friends," she said.
She is currently visiting family and friends before starting her training for next year.
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