South African swimmer battles all odds

Hyderabad:

'Two continents, One spirit' is the theme line of the Afro-Asian Games. And if there is one sportsperson who reflects the true spirit of the Games, it is disabled South African swimmer Natalie du Toit. Toit lost her left leg in an accident two years ago. But for this 19-year-old, who has been swimming from the age of six, getting back to the pool was the most natural thing to do. "I think to just get into the pool and swim is the best workout for me. It takes out all my frustration. So I come to the pool. I am willing to get into the pool and just swim,'' said Toit. Her coach, Karoly von Toros is proud of the willpower Natalie has shown. She won the 800 metre gold medal at the All-African Games in Nigeria this month. "She does not regard herself as a handicapped person. She is going to challenge people in her race and she is not going to be the last one, I can tell you,'' says Karoly von Toros, coach of the South African team. While Natalie intends to make a splash at the Afro-Asian Games as well, she has set her sights on a medal at the Olympics.