We’re all about celebrating South Africans doing great things, and today we honor a monumental achievement by one of our nation’s finest athletes. South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane, alongside Japan’s Yui Kamiji, celebrated a historic victory in the women’s wheelchair doubles final at Wimbledon. This victory marks Montjane’s first Wimbledon title and her third overall doubles Grand Slam win, showcasing the unstoppable spirit of South Africans excelling on the global stage.
Born in Seshego near Polokwane, Limpopo, Montjane has faced and overcome extraordinary challenges from a young age. She was born with a congenital disorder affecting her hands and feet, leading to the amputation of one foot by the age of 12. Despite these hurdles, Montjane has risen to become one of the top wheelchair tennis players in the world, a true testament to her resilience and excellence.
Montjane’s journey to the top has been nothing short of inspiring. She has reached the top 10 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings, peaking at number 5 in 2005. Her remarkable achievements have earned her the title of South Africa’s Disabled Sportswoman of the Year three times. Additionally, she has proudly represented South Africa in the Paralympic Games in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
Her latest victory at Wimbledon solidifies her legacy in the sport, marking her third doubles Grand Slam title. After the match, Montjane shared her gratitude and joy:
“We are just happy that this year we managed to fight for it; it’s been a tough week playing each other and having to put our heads together to play doubles. It hasn’t been an easy one. But other than that, we are happy to be playing here and for the crowd for staying because when you watch, the sport grows, so thank you for coming through. And I just want to thank my support back home.”
Kgothatso Montjane’s Wimbledon triumph is a proud moment for South Africa, reminding us all of the power of perseverance and dedication. Her success inspires countless others, demonstrating that with determination, anything is possible.
At 10and5, we celebrate this incredible milestone and look forward to cheering on more South Africans making their mark on the world stage. Congratulations, Kgothatso Montjane, for making us all proud!
