Protea Hotel Umhlanga's Sandra Khumalo goes for paralympic gold

Sandra won silver at the 2012 Final Paralympic Qualification Rowing Regatta in Belgrade, Serbia, a little earlier this year and believes the medal is within her grasp. She flew out of Johannesburg with the South African Paralympic Team last week and is now preparing for her first race - the Women's Single Scull - at 10.30am South African time this Friday.

Sandra has been training every day for months for the Paralympics. The gruelling training schedule has included daily water practice focusing on strength, endurance and sprints as well as a lot of time in the gym building stamina and upper body strength.

She said the South African team had received a warm welcome when they arrived in London last Wednesday morning and everyone was upbeat about the start of the Games. "We're definitely going to be bringing home some medals," Sandra said.

The athletic mother has always led an active lifestyle, but was in a motor accident in 2005 that left her a paraplegic. As soon as she had her doctor's permission, she headed straight back to the gym, where she worked on strengthening her upper body. It was there she was introduced to rowing by a fellow gym member, and she took to the sport immediately.

"Out there alone on the water for the first time I felt independent," Sandra said. "As a paraplegic I have to be dependent on others for help every day, so it was an absolutely thrilling feeling. Rowing makes me feel whole."

The women's rowing final takes place on September 2 from 10.30am.

Protea Hospitality Group CEO Arthur Gillis says the whole Protea family will be cheering Sandra on when she races for the first time next Friday. "We are so proud of what she has achieved in difficult circumstances, and we're behind her 100% of the way. Whether Sandra brings home a medal or not, she's already a hero to all of us."

The Paralympic opening ceremony takes place tomorrow (Wednesday) and the closing ceremony on Sunday, September 9.