Johanna Benson

Johanna Benson
Personal information
Nationality Namibian
Born 17 February 1990
Walvis Bay, Namibia
Sport
Country Namibia
Sport Athletics
Event(s) T37 sprint
Long jump
Achievements and titles
Paralympic finals 2012

Johanna Benson (born 17 February 1990) is a Paralympian athlete from Walvis Bay, Namibia.[1] She competes in T37 short distance running events.

2012 Paralympics

Namibia's Paralympics team took part in the Athletics at the 2012 Summer Paralympics – Women's 100 metres in London. 22 years old Benson won a gold medal in the Women's 200m T37 race, ahead of Oksana Krechunyak of Ukraine. Later in the Games Benson won silver in the Women's 100m T37.

Her victory received appreciation from all across Namibia. She was given N$170 000 in cash for the medals, a house in Walvis Bay, and a diplomatic passport by the Government of Namibia. She further received money from private individuals, institutions, and organisations. Furthermore, she was given an offer for free trainings and physiotherapy for the next four years from an agency in her home town.[2][3][4][5][6]

Benson is the first athlete from Namibia to win a Paralympic gold medal,[7] but her fame arose from the situation that no other Namibian has ever won any Olympic gold before. Frankie Fredericks won several silver medals in 1992 and 1996.[2]

References

  1. "Benson, Johanna". ipc.infostradasports.com. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Hartman, Adam (7 September 2012). "Dream comes true for Bensons". The Namibian.
  3. Nikodemus, Sheefeni (7 September 2012). "Don’t give up, says Fredericks". The Namibian.
  4. "Walvis Bay welcomes Johanna "Golden Girl" Benson". Namibian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  5. "Benson thanked the entire nation". New Era. Retrieved 27 Sep 2012.
  6. "Benson makes history with gold medal". Namibia Sport. Retrieved 09/06/2012. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. Nikodemus, Sheefeni (7 September 2012). "‘I knew I would win’". The Namibian.

External links