After the win an elated Maria said, \u201cI am honoured and humbled to have won; the other two finalists are wonderful sportswomen.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Delville resident attributed her success to many things.<\/p>
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\u201cMy parents helping me to participate in sport from a young age, my spouse and friends supporting me, being disciplined and knowing what goals I am working towards have all helped me.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso people with knowledge who have offered me their time, namely Marc Booysens at Wits Sport Science and Marco du Plooy for my prosthetics, Maryke Bronkhorst for nutritional advice and Teresa Visser for coaching.\u201d<\/p>\n
Teresa Visser, her coach, said, \u201cAlthough she was up against very stiff competition with the other two finalists, I am extremely proud of her winning the award.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has worked very hard to achieve what she has achieved this year, and she absolutely deserved the recognition.<\/p>\n
\u201cA huge thank you to CGSAPD and SASAPD for their behind-the-scenes support and assistance as well, and for what they do for sport for people with disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maria, who admits she is an eternal student, said that she manages to balance her academics and her athletics (shot-put and discus).<\/p>\n
She practices her athletics early in the mornings and then again in the afternoon as her MSc was by research so she was able to manage her time really well.<\/p>\n
When asked how she thinks this achievement will influence her sporting career she said, \u201cI have no idea, hopefully it will act as a bit of a springboard for my work with young girls and women amputees, as well as help me to gain sponsorships.\u201d<\/p>\n Maria feels that sport is still regarded mainly as a male dominated arena, except for the more graceful disciplines such as synchronised swimming, gymnastics, and netball.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very important for young girls to be part of sport, sport teaches one many different values and lessons that you can apply in your day to day life.<\/p>\n \u201cYou learn about teamwork, discipline, losing and also about winning gracefully.<\/p>\n \u201cSport also allows you to really feel how powerful and capable your body is,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Maria\u2019s immediate plans for the future include competing in the South African National Championships in Bloemfontein, next year.<\/p>\n \u201cI would also like to see if I can find sponsors to attend one or two of the European Grand Prix circuit events in 2018.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will help to ensure that I get chosen for the SA parathletics team to compete at the World Parathletics Championships in 2019, which of course will be setting the stage for the Paralympics Tokyo 2020,\u201d Maria said.<\/p>\n \u201cI would also like to become more involved with sport, specifically with amputees.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think one has to compete at a high level such as provincial or international, to benefit from sport.<\/p>\n \u201cJust the basic thing to be able to run again post lower limb amputation, or climb, or swim \u2013 I would like to be involved in clinics that help amputees to find activity again.\u201d<\/p>\n Maria feels that currently the support for female athletes does not necessary reflect their success, but their marketability.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Disability does not stop Maria<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think that companies can definitely invest more towards sponsorships for female athletes \u2013 especially athletes who compete in sport codes as individuals and not as a team.<\/p>\n \u201cCompanies must realise that the sponsorship is not only towards that female athlete, but it is also towards igniting passion and discipline and hope in younger girls and other women,\u201d Maria said.<\/p>\n Besides being an athlete and an eternal student Maria loves geology, the ocean, hiking, puzzles and crosswords.<\/p>\n \u201cI am a lover of life, trying to live with passion, love and following my truth.<\/p>\n \u201cI love laughing, I love working and making a difference \u2013 even if it is a small difference in someone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n \u201cMy motto is \u2018Why not? Let\u2019s give it a try! And why not me?\u2019,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za.<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2017\/10\/40GCNGENERALMARI_43473-520x390.jpg\")