Golden Hilton grabs SA’s second medal in Rio
Hilton Langenhoven bounced back from track disappointment to grab South Africa’s second gold medal of the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.
Langenhoven had been disqualified from the T12 400-metres semi-final for stepping outside of his lane but a leap of faith saw him go all the way in the T12 long jump.
He launched himself to a distance of 7.07 metres with his second attempt and even had the luxury of being able to take his final jump, safe in the knowledge that he had gold in his clutches.
Two centimetres separated silver and gold as Kamil Aliyev of Azerbaijan had a best of 7.05 on the night.
Now a veteran of four Paralympics, Langenhoven has had an up and down last two years. Even at last year’s African Games in Brazzaville, Congo, he was beaten by great mate and fellow Paralympian Jonathan Ntutu in the 200m.
"We need to fight to get into this team," said Langenhoven. "There are only so many slots and once you are here you do your country proud, your team and your family".
"I cried myself to sleep after the 400m disappointment but I knew I had to pull it together… it’s just so amazing to stand on top of the world again.. it was so close", Langenhoven added. "The 400m was my main event and I had put everything into it but I’m just so proud now to do this for everyone! "
Said coach Raymond Julius: "Hilton was emotionally down after his 400m disqualification and it took quite a lot to pick him up again. When I saw him this morning he was very positive and managed to bounce back to win gold in the long jump.
We are very satisfied at this stage and are looking forward to the 200m. Like I said… sometimes good things fall apart so that better things fall together."