A Stellenbosch para-cyclist has her eyes firmly set on donning the green and gold at the Paralympics in Paris this year.
Toni Mould, the only woman cycling on a tricycle in Africa, hopes to qualify for the sporting showpiece for the second time, having been part of Team South Africa at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. Leading up to the event in August and September, she has three events to qualify for the spectacle and etch her name as part of Team SA.
Apart from the 40-year-old’s goal to qualify for the Paralympics, she is also taking on the daunting challenge of participating in the 42 km event of the Cape Town Cycle Tour in March. Her debut participation in the race will also act as fundraiser for costs associated with her participating in two UCI Para-cycling Road World Cups in Europe in April and May.
“This is a big year for me,” Mould related. “My dream is to qualify for the Paris Paralympics and all my effort this year will be to qualify so that I can have that true Paralympic experience. Although I participated in Tokyo, Covid-19 restrictions meant that I didn’t truly have that experience, especially as the cycling was held two hours away from the Paralympic Village, which I didn’t get to see. I am hungry for that real experience.”
Her bid to prepare and qualify for the spectacle held every four years started with her first race of the year at the Western Cape championships in Velddrift on Saturday (20 January), where she claimed gold in her class. Mould’s next step to qualification is participating in the Cycling South Africa (CSA) National Championships in Gauteng early next month.
Originally from Plettenberg Bay, she was born with a severe form of cerebral palsy, which affects her speech, coordination and motor functions, among others. She moved to Stellenbosch to study towards a degree in social work at Stellenbosch University 20 years ago.
Ten years ago she took up cycling with a tricycle, as a result of her balance issues, as a way to get fit, stay healthy and meet new people. Since then she has shifted her focus, gleaned her national colours in the sport and is a full-time athlete who trains five days a week, two of which are at Maties Gymnasium. “The sad reality is that para-athletes do not get much support in terms of sponsorships, and most of my trips are self-funded. As a result of my disability, I need to take a carer or two with me on my trips, and I need to cover their expenses as well,” Mould pointed out.
“It is quite pricy. I estimate the week-long trip to Gauteng for the national championships to cost about R40 000. As a result of all the costs coming this year I am doing something that I have never done before, participating in the 42 km at the Cape Town Cycle Tour. I hope to raise the funds to cover all my expenses for the upcoming international races this year.”
The Cycle with Toni initiative gives potential sponsors three options to get involved for the worthy cause: sponsor Mould or one of her trainers’ R730 entry fee, ride along as part of her team or sponsor her per kilometre, cut-off point or on completion of the race. She hopes to raise R100 000 through the campaign.
“All the funds raised through the fundraising initiative, which is on the BackaBuddy platform, will go towards travelling and accommodation for me and my carers in Europe,” Mould related.
“Although I am focused on the national championships, I am excited and nervous about participating in the cycle tour. I have never cycled 42 km on my tricycle before, so I am truly challenging my limits. I don’t know if my body can do it, but I will shift my focus on training for the event after nationals.”
The determined woman will be accompanied by some of the Maties Gym trainers on her ride. She is grateful for the constant aid and support of the facility’s management and trainers, adding that the gym and its employees, along with her coach and friends, are her biggest support.
Mould further called on businesses and individuals to support her cause to help make her dreams a reality. “I get by on a monthly Sassa grant and other donations, which barely covers my day-to-day expenses. Para-athletes really need support, especially those who are full-time athletes. I train five days a week; when I’m not training, I’m resting or trying to get funding,” she said.
- To get involved or for more information, contact Mould via email on tonicycling01@gmail.com or see the “Toni Mould Cycling 2024” campaign on backabuddy.co.za.
