February 7, 2025
Steven's star is rising

Steven’s star is rising

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By GIFT NDOLWANE

JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – South African wheelchair basketball star, Steven Walgenbach, has soared above physical disability by securing a lucrative scholarship in the United States.

The Limpopo-born Paralympian (19) who captains the Under 23 national side, has clinched a deal with the University of Texas where beginning August, he will juggle between computer science studies and basketball. Speaking in an exclusive interview, the teenager disclosed his dreams of becoming one of the greatest Paralympians in the history of South Africa. “It feels great that I am achieving all these goals that I set out to achieve at the beginning,” Walgenbach said.

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The teenager hopes his American stint would motivate other team members to follow his path. “There are lots of opportunities to play,” he said. “If you work hard, you can achieve what you set out to achieve. There are vast opportunities.” The inspirational captain mentioned Marius Pafenfus and Richard Nortje as his role models because of their great contribution in Paralympic sports.

The scholarship comes a solace for Walgenbach who missed out at the recent Under 23 World Wheelchair Basketball Championship (WWBC) in Canada and a pre-tournament in Dubai due to injury.  Hailed as the “Christiano Ronaldo” of the junior side, his absence would be sorely felt as the South Africans returned home with the wooden spoon after finishing rock-bottom at 12th.

UT Arlington’s Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team has won seven national championships. They have a rich history of leading the nation in intercollegiate wheelchair basketball, exemplified by offering full athletic scholarships to team players.

– CAJ News

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