Tezna Abrahams: Pursuing the Paralympic dream

Tezna Abrahams stands as a beacon of unwavering hope, a trailblazer who beckons fellow para-athletes to embark on their extraordinary journey, centred around defying the limitations posed by her unique abilities.

Abrahams is on a quest for the 2024 Paralympics, seeking R447,500 through crowdfunding, including R90,000 for vital gear. Your support empowers her global journey, contributing to her pursuit of excellence. Be part of her inspiring story by visiting the campaign page and making a difference today.

The tip of the iceberg

Abrahams courageously shares her journey of living with the rare conditions affecting her limbs, muscles, and skeletal system. Ectrodactyly affects her hands and feet, while muscular dystrophy and hypertonia contribute to muscle weakness and coordination challenges, particularly on her left side.

“So I have ectrodactyly, it’s a very rare disability like one in 90 million people have it. So it affects your hands and feet. It can affect some of your limbs; it can be a size smaller or a bit shorter. I also have muscle dystrophy cause I cannot tone up my left side. I can gym, but my left side will never show that it’s picking up muscle,” Abrahams told ProTouch.

“I also have a muscular skeletal disorder, and they (the doctors) suspect that there is a bit of hypertonia, so when you’re doing a generalized movement on your affected side, your hand tends to shake when you try to grab or pull anything. Because of that, I have a huge weakness on my left side, I have a limp on my left side, and my left ankle is slightly fused.”

Despite these challenges, the track and field star still finds the strength and motivation to push herself and make a difference in a world shadowed by doubt and disbelief.

Igniting the fire

The talented star strongly believes that when you are blessed with a talent that opens up opportunities, you have to jump for it.

“I’ve been given the talent; I can use the talent to do something much better with my life,” Abrahams added.

After becoming a National record holder at only 13 years old, Abrahams is now a household name amongst swimmers and fans. Her brilliance in the pool became a beacon of inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to witness her excellence.

The star’s passion for swimming burned fiercely within her for years, competing for nine years. Her unwavering dedication to the pool was a testament to the dedication that defines champions. However, life’s challenges tested her resolve – injuries, missed opportunities, and the intense pressure of competition.

The unfulfilled dream

The 2016 Rio Paralympics were close, but a mere fraction of split seconds dashed her hopes. Then, a week before her Rio Paralympic trial, unforeseen circumstances unfortunately extinguished her hopes.

“It was a love; it was a passion of mine. But I think slowly, after a while, I had fallen out of love with it. And I had a few injuries in the last couple of months before. I mean, I missed the Rio Paralympic qualifying time by split seconds. And then, a week before my actual Paralympic trials, I was in a car accident, so I couldn’t compete at all. So I kind of just decided I’m gonna retire,” Abrahams added

This setback, though, wasn’t the end of her journey; it marked a transformative moment. The South African record holder decided to step away from swimming, not as a defeat, but as an opportunity to embrace change and seek new avenues for growth through studies and self-growth.

A resurgence from the ashes

After a substantial break, Abrahams rekindled her connection with swimming in 2021. This wasn’t a return to competition but a profound reawakening. The pool, once a source of pressure, became a platform for self-discovery and boundless enthusiasm. The star revived her love for swimming, but not for the competitive portion that comes with it.

Toward the end of 2022, Abrahams decided to try out track and field to see if she could rebuild the love she found for it during her time in school. Her venture was uncertain as she navigated the para-athletics world, hoping to find her place within.

A lesson in classification and identity

Her newly found decision drew her toward the classification system as she looked to embed herself into the world she now loves. Her search was rewarded after being classified as T44 at the end of 2022, giving her the first stepping stone in her path to success.

Her T44 classification only scratched the surface of the trailblazer’s story. It didn’t define her; it merely hinted at her complex journey. Her challenges went beyond labels, revealing the multi-faceted nature of her journey.

Abrahams takes every challenge with a resilient mindset, embodying the belief that each closed door opens up new opportunities.

Navigating uncharted waters

However, every new adventure comes with its own tests. The track, solid and unwavering, poses challenges starkly different from the fluidity of water. Abrahams acknowledges these hurdles and faces them head-on, proving that even the toughest roads can be conquered with courage and perseverance.

“In swimming, you weigh like nothing, so you have zero gravity in swimming. Whereas in track and field, you have literally all the gravity now. So if you’re like me, from my side, my affected side is my left. So if my left fails in the pool, I don’t feel it that much. If my left fails on the track, you feel it a hundred times,” Abrahams added.

The South African made the life-changing decision at the beginning of 2023 after leaving her life of swimming behind. Transitioning from swimming to track and field, competing in sprints and long jump, was a leap of faith, a venture into the unknown.

Despite the challenges of being part of a new athletic world, Abrahams pressed forward. Guided by coaches and her unwavering resolve, she shattered barriers that once limited her potential. Doubt gave way to empowerment, and the track became a testament to her perseverance.

Her newfound love opened new experiences and opportunities, like forming a bond with the community that willingly embraces their own.

The power of unity

The para-athletics community symbolizes unity in a world that often celebrates individual accomplishments. The unique talent found camaraderie among fellow athletes, where support transcended standings. Amid adversity, the para-athletics family demonstrated the strength that emerges when kindred spirits come together.

“So the camaraderie within para-sports is so much bigger because we know you’re fighting your own challenge, and you’re running your own race. So we want to help you and support you as much as we can, even though we are probably your competitor. ”

Her hunger to transform this world is truly inspiring, as she uses her own challenges and sufferings to show the world that anything is possible and that not all challenges are dire.

Inspiration for all

Growing up, the groundbreaker was aware of the scarcity of role models who mirrored her journey. Today, she has stepped into that role, becoming a source of inspiration for countless others. Her story echoes through the hearts of those yearning for a guiding light, an affirmation that the human spirit, when nurtured by determination and resilience, can overcome even the most formidable challenges.

“So as a differently able kid, you don’t really have as many role models that you can literally see in your day-to-day,” Abrahams told ProTouch.

Abrahams shines as a beacon of determination, dedicated to inspiring others through her journey.

She fearlessly opens up about facing ridicule due to her differing abilities. Her mission is to dispel misconceptions surrounding para-athletes, underlining that their identities transcend their diagnoses.

“So there’s so much more that I can do. And hopefully, I can inspire people along the way with the challenges I’ve had to overcome and how I’ve trained my mindset to always get me going.”

The path forward

As Abrahams forges ahead on her path toward the 2024 Paralympic Games, the symphony of her story begins to unfold. Her unyielding commitment to her craft, ability to conquer the unknown, and passion for uplifting others combine in a harmonious melody of triumph. Her journey encapsulates the essence of determination, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

“How am I gonna push it into my training sessions, and how am I gonna take it forward for the journey that I have ahead? And whoever else sees it as an inspiration, how can I push them to try and push themselves?”

In a world characterized by constant challenges and driven by dreams, Tezna Abrahams’s story stands as an anthem of resilience. It captures the heart of determination, adaptability, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness. Her narrative teaches us that within every challenge lies an opportunity for growth, and within every dream resides the potential to inspire magnificence.

“Focus, breathe, don’t get anxious, just run and have fun.”

Call to action

At ProTouch.Africa, we’re thrilled to announce our support for Tezna Abraham’s para-athletic journey in the upcoming 2024 season through our Podium Pursuit Collective, which seeks to aid Tezna on her journey to greatness.

To turn these dreams into reality, she needs your support. Abrahams has launched a crowdfunding campaign, seeking contributions from athletes and fans alike. By becoming a supporter, you’ll play a crucial role in fuelling Abraham’s passion and empowering her on the global stage.

 

ABOUT PROTOUCH AFRICA

PROTOUCH AFRICA is a purpose-driven and for-profit Sports Tech, business founded in 2016 with the purpose to enable African Athletes to perform on the World Stage. It is pioneering new ways for fans to interact and engage with their favourite teams, leagues and athletes and enable alternative revenue streams.

ProTouch Africa’s Podium Pursuit Project is focused on creating a transparent and sustainable funding mechanism for the next generation of African Athletes. Its vision is to launch the World’s first fan-owned impact investment platform for African Athletes, by assembling an ecosystem of top-performing athletes, their fans and the brands that support them.