Tezna Kirstin Abrahams | Paralympian & Elite Athlete
Tezna is a South African Paralympian, a four-time African record holder, and an elite multi-sport athlete. Competing globally in the T44 classification (sprints and long jump), Tezna’s story is one of rapid, historic ascent. Known for her explosive power, fluid movement, and dedication to a high-performance lifestyle, she seamlessly bridges the worlds of elite sports and commercial brand partnerships.
The Story: Unrivaled Athletic Adaptability
Tezna’s physical capability and discipline are grounded in decades of diverse, high-level training:
The Foundation: Before stepping onto the track, Tezna spent 20 years in competitive swimming (8 years at the elite level), building an exceptional cardiovascular engine and mental grit.
The Historic Track Transition: In January 2023, she made a spontaneous transition to track and field. Within just months, she was competing on the world stage—a testament to her raw athletic talent, coachability, and elite work ethic.
Cross-Disciplinary Agility: To keep her coordination, rhythm, and spatial awareness razor-sharp, Tezna actively trains in tennis and has spent two years mastering Latin social dancing (Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba). This diverse physical background gives her an extraordinary level of body control and poise in front of the camera.
Major Competitions & International Accolades
Tezna is a proven international podium finisher with a rapidly growing collection of global silverware:
Paris 2024 Paralympian: Represented Team South Africa, placing 11th in the Long Jump final (setting a new African record of 4.46m) and 10th in the 200m.
World Challenge Athletic Event (Italy): Secured a Gold medal in the 100m. Finalist in Long Jump and 100m at another two separate World Challenge Athletic Event (Italy & Germany)
Olomouc Grand Prix (Czech Republic): Took home 1 Gold and 2 Silver medals across the 200m and Long Jump, finishing Top 3 overall in the jump category for the entire competition.
German International Invitational: Placed Top 4 overall across the 100m and 200m.
4x African Record Holder: Repeatedly shattered the African T44 Long Jump record.
Awards & Industry Recognition:
Cape Town Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability (Winner, 2024): Crowned winner at the annual Cape Town Sport Council Awards (following her first nomination in 2023).
gsport Ministerial Award (Winner, 2025): Honored with one of South Africa’s most prestigious women-in-sport accolades for her trailblazing achievements and advocacy.
Academic Excellence: Holds a Postgraduate Degree in Sport Management, bringing a deep, strategic understanding of the sports industry to her partnerships.
Why Tezna is a Dream for Commercial Brands:
Conscious Performance: As a dedicated vegan, she is a powerful advocate for clean energy, plant-based nutrition, and high-performance wellness.
Polished Media & Speaking Presence: An experienced public speaker and media talent, Tezna has spoken at high-profile conferences and has been featured on podcasts by US-based storytelling platforms. She is highly articulate, camera-confident, and natural in interview settings.
Dynamic Camera Movement: Her background in modeling, swimming, and Latin dance means she knows exactly how to move. Whether it’s high-speed athletic action or fluid lifestyle shots, she executes with professional precision.