KIN STORIES
Ambassador Feature: Arnu Fourie
In the words of Anne Frank: “No one has ever become poor from giving.”
Arnu Fourie is paralympic athlete from Stellenbosch. He is passionate about sport and it’s power to make a difference in communities. As a professional athlete he has been given the opportunity to do what he loves and to be a role model for many people in South Africa.
It all started when Arnu was young boy, like most, he dreamt of playing for the Springboks. He was planning his pursuit for a career in sport as an 18 year old in the first rugby team of one of South Africa’s production lines of great rugby players, Grey College. Later that year he would also be scouted by one of the provincial unions. His plan for a career in sport was about to take off.
In October 2003 his journey took an unexpected turn. A boating accident resulted in Arnu having his left leg amputated below the knee. His rugby aspirations were now a thing of the past, but his passion for sport was still there.
He decided to get involved in athletics and in September 2006 he ran his first 100m race as a disabled athlete. He eventually qualified for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 as a 100m and 200m athlete in the T44 class.
At the 2012 Olympics in London he won the bronze medal in the 100m, set a new world record in the 200m T44 class, won gold and set a new world record in the men’s men’s T42-46 Relay event.
As a professional athlete he has been given the opportunity to do what he loves and to be a role model for many people in South Africa.
Arnu has been involved with various community based charities throughout his career. He has a heart for bringing hope and inspiration to others. As a KIN Culture ambassador he has shown a keen interest in investing in the futures of orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa.
We are really excited to see what the future holds and we’ll be supporting Arnu at the upcoming paralympics Rio de Janeiro. Go Arnu!