Kenneth Mokabo shines at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, he clinched a silver medal in figure skating. Photo credit: ESPN
(The Post News)- Team South Africa created history by winning six medals at the 2025 Special Olympics in Turin, Italy. The athletes, who competed from March 8 to March 16, made a significant impact on the world scene by showcasing their exceptional talent and tenacity in winter sports, especially short track speed skating and figure skating. Ancilla Smith, CEO of Special Olympics South Africa, praised the accomplishment, pointing out that the six medals set a new national record for the competition. Considering the difficulties the competition presented, Smith was really proud of the team’s accomplishment.
“This is a phenomenal achievement for South Africa, especially considering that winter sports are not as prominent in our country,” Smith said in an interview. “Our athletes competed against nations where ice sports are a natural part of life, with skaters training from a young age. We were up against countries like Canada and those in Northern Europe, where athletes often train for hours each day on the ice.”
Smith highlighted that Team South Africa’s athletes only had limited access to ice before arriving in Turin, with some training for just 40 minutes a week on a commercial rink in Johannesburg. In contrast, athletes from countries with long winters and established ice skating cultures spend several hours daily honing their skills.
Despite these disadvantages, South Africa’s athletes brought home a medal from every event they entered. “Our athletes just don’t give up,” Smith added. “We don’t have the same facilities or resources, but the determination, grit, and passion that our athletes show set them apart. Every single one of them fell at least once, but they got up and kept going.”
The South African team, consisting of six athletes, had a balanced representation in terms of gender and race. Despite receiving a limited quota of six athletes for the competition, Smith noted the team was diverse and representative of the nation’s broader demographics. “We would have liked to bring a larger team, but with the six athletes we had, we ensured that all groups were represented,” she said.
Among the medal winners were Naledi Hlalele, who took home a gold medal in figure skating, and Kenneth Mokabo, who earned a silver in the same event. Their performances were seen as a testament to their hard work and dedication, as figure skating is a particularly niche sport in South Africa.Smith explained that the Special Olympics uses a division system to ensure athletes can compete at their own ability levels. This system, she explained, is a core aspect of Special Olympics’ approach, which aims to support athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, from beginners to advanced competitors.
With 57,000 athletes representing various levels of ability across South Africa, the organization strives to create opportunities for people of all abilities to compete. “We don’t focus solely on elite athletes. Instead, we provide opportunities for all our athletes to participate, regardless of their starting point,” Smith said.
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