Dyan, Hilton help Team SA to two more medals in Rio

Dyan Buis and Hilton Langenhoven helped maintain Team SA’s momentum on the medals table in Rio de Janeiro.

Buis joined Charl du Toit and Ilse Hayes as a double medal winner as he added T38 400m gold to his long jump bronze while Langenhoven loped to silver in the T12 200m in a time of 22.43.

Making it even better a day for Buis was the fact that his 49.46sec win was a Paralympic record.

"It was quite emotional for me out there because I knew we’d worked hard this season," said Buis. "It was marvelous. My lane draw was perfect and I fed on the runners in front of me – especially the Tunisian and Chinese guy, and then the last 200 meters I attacked."

"I have to give credit to coach Suzanne Ferreira and the team around me like the physios, stakeholders and and my gym coach," said Buis.

Buis added, "Tonight I also wanted to run for my wife Erna and little daughter, Jinne, which was a huge motivation. As for the future I’m just going to take it as it comes".

Just as happy was ‘veteran’ Langenhoven after his Games had started off with the disappointment of disqualification in the 400m. He was beaten to gold by Cuba’s Leinier Savon Pineda who won in 22.23.

"I’m delighted to end off the Games for me with a silver. This was going to be my last race but now I’m thinking of the World Champs next year where I’ll focus on the long jump", said Langenhoven.

"It was a bit disappointing start to the Games with that disqualification but now I’m chuffed, and I’ll take a silver any day",  added Langenhoven.

Team SA's two extra medals on Saturday helped them maintain the 22nd spot on the honours table and they now boast 17 medals – seven gold, six silver and four bronze.

Also in action on Saturday evening was Mpumi Mhlongo in the men’s T44 long jump where he ended sixth with a personal best 6.79m.