Bonteheuwel resident Theo Cogill thought his career in table tennis had ended after he was stabbed seven years ago.
But the 30-year-old father of a 4-month-old baby girl clinched gold for South Africa at the Chuntering Tournament in Taiwan this month.
Japan won silver, and third place was shared by Singapore and Japan.
Cogill’s career had taken a major setback when he was stabbed in 2011, and doctors believed he would not walk again. He works at the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, and now walks with a limp.
“I am actually very lucky to be walking today.” Cogill said.
He was diagnosed with a Brown-Sequard syndrome, an incomplete spinal cord lesion.
Cogill said the tournament was difficult as he did not participate in international competitions frequently.
“I needed to use all the experience I had when I was an able-bodied player,” he said.