Sheryl James

Paralympic T37 division sprint athlete powered by Laurium Capital South Africa. I am determined to represent South Africa at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

I am a proudly South African Paralympic T37 track athlete, based in Limpopo Province, born with cerebral palsy which is basically impaired muscle function, in my case on the right side of my body (hemiplegia). That being said, my physical challenges have never stopped me from reaching my goals. I have a passion for pushing the limits of what I am capable of and for inspiring those around me to do

the same – live life to the fullest! My sprinting story starts back in 2018 at the age of 32 (having initially participated in long distance running between 2010 and 2015 during which time I ran three Comrades marathons and completed two of them). In 2018 I joined IsAbility Sports Club in Gauteng, (a club for able-bodied and athletes with impairments). I was encouraged to start sprint training and, by the grace of God, pure determination and hard work, went on to reach my athletics milestones with the help of my coaching team, (physio Elmien van der Goot, Pilates trainer Karen Louw, and coach Gideon Joubert). The opportunity to represent South Africa, and medalling, at both the 2019 Para Athletics World Championships and the Tokyo Paralympic Games is indescribable. It is a great honour to wear my country’s green and gold and I look forward to the next. To me, even more valuable than Paralympic glory are the doors that my achievement helps open for IsAbility Sports Club Limpopo to assist more people in our local community to get involved in athletics and other inclusive sports activities. I am passionate about creating change through sport and take my role as ambassador to IsAbility Sports Club Limpopo seriously. Another highlight is my association with the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund as a charity ambassador and role-model. Our partnership lead to an opportunity to assist a young Makhado scholar living with lower limb amputation to access quality prosthetic equipment, holistic rehabilitative support and good education. It is all systems go to run good qualifying times at the 2023 Toyota South Africa SASAPD National Championships for a chance to be selected to represent my country at the Paris 2023 Para Athletics World Championships. The Road to Paris is beckoning. I will keep to my personal motto – just be real.

04/09/2026

Lately, mom and I have been privileged to visit some schools in our home province, Limpopo. It seems fitting that these visits are happening during spring. Spring carries the fragrance of promise. And a school setting, a hall or classroom full of young minds and hearts, does exactly the same. So much potential waiting to blossom!

Have a look at these photos outlining our ‘reading gets you everywhere’ Unbridling schools book tour so far and… watch this space for more 😉

A huge thank you to my fellow athlete and friend, Mpumelelo Mhlongo, for donating copies of Unbridling to the schools we are visiting 🙏 It is an honor to have your support and endorsement.

01/09/2026

Spring marks the season for a fresh start. As sleeping giants wake from winter slumber, sprouting new blossoms. So do we get to shake off the dust and start a new season. Who knows what happens next. 💥💥😁😁🌼

Happy Spring Day 2026, everyone. Watch this space!!

25/08/2026

Hearty congratulations to my fellow para-athletes Simoné Kruger and Puseletso Mabote on your well-deserved awards: Sportswoman of the Year with Disability and Sportsman of the Year with Disability.

Also, congratulations to every award winner and every nominee at the DSAC South Africa Sports Awards.

21/08/2026

Thank you, Team South Africa, for the honour of featuring in this beautiful post in recognition of Women’s Month ❤️

It means the world to me to read your kind words. I am Blessed.

19/08/2026

Thank you SA Sports Awards for the nomination 🙏 It is always an honor to show up for my country.

Visual courtesy of SASAPD (South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled) Team South Africa

17/08/2026

Glasgow 2026 - a dream come true.

After setting our goal to both represent Team South Africa at and then Masala winning 100m silver, to hear it confirmed that… “Para Athletics Athlete, Masala Makatu will be the Flag Bearer at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony" was a deeply emotional moment.

It felt full circle. A proud moment for South Africa, a proud moment for Limpopo, a proud moment for a coach.

Following his performance in Glasgow, Masala is being described as “a rising force in Para athletics”. It’s wonderful to see. I know the hard work he puts into attaining his goals. He has the mindset and discipline to take it all the way.

Masala qualified for the Commonwealth Games at the 2026 SASAPD (South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled) National Championships in Stellenbosch where he won the T12 100m in 11.13sec. In Glasgow, he continued his improvement with a time of 11.05 in the men’s T12 100m semi-finals and then winning the silver – Team SA’s first track medal – with a season’s best of 11.04sec.

His long-term goals are to represent at the 2028 and 2032 Paralympics. I am excited to build on what we have learnt and to continue to help him get there🔥

13/08/2026

My Commonwealth Games in a nutshell... always grateful.

Watch this space for how it links with our book, Unbridling.

02/08/2026

It's been an amazing Games. Witnessing some incredible displays of sport. The added joy of seeing the growth in Masala and other team members. It is great to see when champions collide, pushing themselves and each other to the limits.

This has been a great moment, now life moves onto the next beautiful challenge. Thank you Lord for this life we have 🙏

Photos courtesy of Team South Africa 🇿🇦

01/08/2026

Thank you, Commonwealth Sport GAPS program for the support and opportunity to share our unique story ❤️

I am so proud of Masala!!

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