Awards celebrate sporting excellence in SA

The South African Sport Awards returned for a 16th edition on Saturday night, and saw the country’s top athletes and sports administrators, as well as the media, celebrate at the Sun City Superbowl in the North West.

According to media reports, this year’s awards ceremony was held under the theme “Celebrating sporting excellence” to recognize the achievements of South African athletes who have kept their passion for sport alive in the hearts of many South Africans by participating in local and international sporting events and to share it.

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The winners of the Sport Star of the Year and People’s Choice Athlete of the Year awards were the most anticipated, being won by Andile Dlamini and Themba Zwane, respectively.

Dusi Canoe Marathon Champion Andy Birkett was honored with a Ministers Excellence Award, capping a remarkable year in which he established himself as the top male athlete in the world marathon.

Birkett won the ICF senior K1 marathon crown in a riveting duel with local favorite José Ramalho and Danish champion Mads Pedersen last year in Spain less than three months after winning the K1 marathon title at the World Games in Spain the seniors had won the US city of Birmingham, Alabama against an equally strong field.

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His outstanding international season mirrored his remarkable domestic season, in which he dominated flatwater marathons and river races, and excelled at many major surfski events.

The winners of the SA Sport Awards

Sports Administrator of the Year
Portia Dimu
Sportsman of the year
Pieter Coetzee
Disabled Athlete of the Year
Jonathan Ntutu
Sportswoman of the Year
Lara Van Niekerk
Disabled Athlete of the Year
Minkie Janse V. Rensburg
team of the year
Rugby 7s men
Newcomer of the Year
Simnikiwe Bongco
coach of the year
Rocco Meiring (swimming)
Volunteer of the Year
Zizo Popu (Eastern Cape)
Indigenous Games Team of the Year
Limpopo (Ncuva – Men’s Team)
National Association of the Year
Cricket South Africa
Recreational Body of the Year
waves for change
photographer of the year
Samkelo Gambusche
Journalist of the Year
Hloni Mtimkulu
Sports Star of the Year
Andile Dlamini (Banyana Banyana)
National Athlete of the Year
Themba Zwane
School Team of the Year
St. Benedict Rowing
Special School of the Year
Helen Frans Special School Wheelchair Tennis