Mpumelelo Mhlongo, a T44 long jump category athlete, broke his own world record by jumping 7.12m at the Paris 2024 Paralympics but finished fifth due to the complexities of the classification system. Despite this, Team South Africa achieved historic wins, including two bronze medals. Each athlete’s performance symbolized personal victory and the invincible human spirit that embodies the Paralympic movement. These stories of resilience and determination transcend the podium and highlight the intricacies of the classification system that influence the outcome.
