Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics

Coert van Straaten
Class: F42 & LC2
Province: Gauteng North
Sex: Male


Background:
Veteran cyclist, Coert van Straaten, is a former Springbok who lost his right leg due to’ a knee replacement gone wrong’ in 2008.

Born in Johannesburg on 8 September 1951, Coert still resides in Josi and works as Chief Engineering Technician for Transnet. Once heard to express his joy at not being able to sell his bike after the amputation, this cycling enthusiast is competing for the first time as amputee at the 2010 SA Championships, and aiming for the World Championships.
“The fact that I am still able to do the things I love, even though I am an amputee, drives me. I am especially inspired by other disabled athletes who are performing well.”

Athletic Events:

F42 Discus
F42 Javelin
F42 Shot Put
LC2 Track Cycling
LC2 Road Cycling

Recent Results:

Competing for the first time as amputee at the 2010 Nedbank National Paracycling Championships, Coert represented South Africa at the World Championships in the Track Cycling events prior to the amputation of his leg.

At the 2010 SA’s, Coert won two Gold medals, and set a new SA Record, in the Track events and two Silver medals in the Road events. His times were as follows:
LC2 1000m Track Cycling – 1:35.97 for Gold and a New SA Record
LC2 4000m Pursuit – 6:55.41 for a second Gold (Silver to Reuben van Niekerk (GN)
LC2 60 km Road Race – 02:32:39.20 for a Silver medal (Gold went to Reuben Van Niekerk)
LC2 18.5 km Time Trail – 37:19.35 for a second Silver medal (Gold went to Rueben van Niekerk)

Personal Aspirations:

“I want to ride good times in the cycling events at the 2010 SA’s. My general aim for 2010 is to improve my riding times to such an extent that I may get a shot at competing at the World Championships next year.”