This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks to Simoné Kruger, South Africa’s golden discus thrower, world record holder, 2025 Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability and 2025 Junior Spors Star of the year.

At just 20 years old, Simoné has already etched her name into the history books with gold medal victories at the 2024 Summer Paralympics and the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships for discus in the F38 category. In this inspiring conversation, she reflects on the immense dedication behind these triumphs – from early training sessions with her sister and grandfather, to being coached full-time by her father, and the collective support of her family who fuel her pursuit of excellence.

Simoné opens up about the discipline required to compete at the highest level with cerebral palsy, explaining how she has adapted her training to work with her body’s limitations while perfecting a technique that continues to shatter world records. She shares insights into the mental strength it takes to recover from setbacks, the vital role of consistency, and her unwavering faith – encapsulated in her personal motto: “Do your best, and God will do the rest.”

Beyond the medals, Simoné speaks candidly about the challenges para-athletes face, including limited sponsorship and financial barriers that prevent many talented young athletes with disabilities from even entering the sporting arena. She advocates passionately for more inclusivity, awareness, and support to unlock opportunities for women in para-sport.

Balancing her athletic career with studies in sports science at Stellenbosch University, Simoné is already preparing for life beyond competition; with aspirations in biokinetics, coaching, or even athlete classification, ensuring she remains connected to the world of sport she loves.

This episode is a powerful reminder of resilience, purpose, and possibility. And while Simoné has already achieved remarkable milestones, her journey is just beginning, there is so much more to come from this exceptional young athlete.

Tune in for more…