Sprinter.  Runner.  Soccer player.  Amateur DJ.  Anti-Bullying Ambassador.  Paralympian.

Fibular hemimelia (FH) is a birth defect resulting in a short or missing fibula which hinders leg development.  Quite rare, it occurs in only 1 in 40,000 births.  Bilateral fibular hemimelia, affecting both legs) is even more rare.  For Ntango Mahlangu, South African native, FH would mean spending the first 10 years of his life in a wheelchair. 

At age 10, he attended a mobility clinic and met with physicians to discuss the possibility of wearing prosthetics.  He was told that he would require a bilateral through-knee amputation for the prosthetics to fit and function well.  For Ntango, the choice was an easy one.

“I was 10 and had never walked before, so when they said there was an option for me to walk and run, I told my family that I wanted the amputation so that could happen.” 

After his recovery, he was fitted with prosthetics and took his first step.  Each day, his walking would improve, and his confidence would grow.  Ntando would happily join neighborhood soccer matches and discovered how he enjoyed running the field from end to end.  Others took notice of his speed and suggested he race competitively.

Within four years, he would earn a place on the South African Paralympic team.  At just 14-years-old – one of the youngest competitors at the 2016 Paralympic Games – he finished second behind defending champion Richard Whitehead in the men’s 200m T42, setting a new African record (23.77) in the process.  Wearing his Cheetah Xtreme, Ntando is expected to represent South Africa at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan.

“My only goal is to be better than I was and to make South Africa and those who support me proud.”

Athletic Accomplishments

• Paralympic Games, 2016 Rio, Silver medal 200 m T42
• World Championships, 2019 Dubai, Gold medal 200 m T61
• World Championships, 2017 London, Silver medal 200 m T42