
South African du Toit won double gold at London 2017, his first time at the top of the World Championship podium after winning individual silver in 2015 and two bronze medals in 2013.
In fact, du Toit’s success in London came as no surprise after his performances at the Rio Paralympic Games the previous year.
The Stellenbosch Para athlete struck double gold at Rio 2016, his second Paralympics, winning both the 100m and 400m T37 events.
Du Toit had shown great form ahead of Rio 2016, setting a new 100m T37 (11.43) world record at the Nottwil Grand Prix in Switzerland three months earlier. The record did not last long with du Toit lowering it further to 11.42 in the heats at Rio 2016. Although 11.45 in the final was slightly slower, it was enough to win him gold.
In the 400m final, he lowered the Paralympic record to 51.13 on his way to a second gold.
For his achievements at Rio 2016, he was named Sportsman of the Year with an Impairment at the 2016 South African Sports Awards.
Born with cerebral palsy, Du Toit took up Para athletics in 2011 and a year later competed in the 100m and 800m T37 events at London 2012. He also won silver over 100m at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Photo Gallery


Biography
Impairment information
Further personal information
Sport specific information
International debut
General interest
In 2016 he sustained a torn hamstring that kept him out of training for four weeks. He also was out for four months due to torn cartilage in his right knee. (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019)
In 2013 he was out of action for six months after sustaining a slipped disc injury in his spine. (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019)
As a child he required a number of operations, including one in which his Achilles tendon needed to be lengthened. (paralympic.org, 06 Jun 2018)
After winning gold in the T37 100m at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he dedicated his victory to his uncle Johan, who was shot and later died following a house robbery earlier in the year. "Me and my family have been through a few tough months but hopefully I did my country proud." (sascoc.co.za, 16 Sep 2016; iol.co.za, 11 Sep 2016)
YOUTH ORGANISATION
He has worked with a non-governmental body named Living Legends South Africa. The organisation offers a youth development programme that focuses on empowering children to take responsibility for their actions through interaction, sport development and life skills. (Living Legends SA Facebook page, 05 Aug 2019; Facebook profile, 12 Mar 2019; tyi.co.za, 16 Aug 2017)
FURTHER EDUCATION
He is studying a master's degree on the impact of physical education on the attitudes and motivational changes of learners with physical impairments. (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019)
Results
Unit | Date | Rank |
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Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Men's 800 m T37 | Final Round | 2012-09-01 | 6 | |
Men's 100 m T37 | Heat 2 | 2012-09-08 | 5 |
Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Men's 800 m T37 | Final 1 | 2013-07-21 | 3 | |
Men's 400 m T37 | Semifinal 2 | 2013-07-25 | 5 | |
Men's 400 m T37 | Final 1 | 2013-07-26 | 3 | |
Men's 4x100 m T35-38 | Final 1 | 2013-07-27 | 2 |
Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Men's 200 m T37 | Final 1 | 2015-10-22 | 4 | |
Men's 200 m T37 | Heat 2 | 2015-10-22 | 6 | |
Men's 400 m T37 | Final 1 | 2015-10-29 | 2 | |
Men's 100 m T37 | Heat 2 | 2015-10-30 | 3 | |
Men's 100 m T37 | Final 1 | 2015-10-31 | 5 |
Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Men's 100 m T37 | Heat 2 | 2016-09-10 | 1 | |
Men's 100 m T37 | Final Round | 2016-09-11 | 1 | |
Men's 400 m T37 | Heat 1 | 2016-09-15 | 1 | |
Men's 400 m T37 | Final Round | 2016-09-16 | 1 |
Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Men's 200 m T37 | Heat 1 | 2017-07-17 | 2 | |
Men's 200 m T37 | Final 1 | 2017-07-18 | 1 | |
Men's 100 m T37 | Heat 1 | 2017-07-19 | 1 | |
Men's 100 m T37 | Final 1 | 2017-07-20 | 2 | |
Men's 400 m T37 | Heat 2 | 2017-07-22 | 4 | |
Men's 400 m T37 | Final 1 | 2017-07-23 | 1 |