Wayde crowned SA’s Sports Star of Year
Sprint star honoured for Rio Olympics achievements
WHEN you annihilate a long-standing world record to be crowned Olympic champion, it is only logical your country celebrates you as its Sports Star of the Year. And South Africa did just that in Bloemfontein last night when Wayde van Niekerk was crowned at the SA Sports Awards, the second successive such honour for the sprint star.
Van Niekerk beat fellow Rio 2016 gold medallist Caster Semenya and cricketer Kagiso Rabada to the top award. He also won the Sportsman of the Year award while Semenya walked away with the Sportswoman of the Year accolade.
At the Olympics in Brazil in August, Van Niekerk stunned the world with a perfect run from lane eight to not only win the 400m gold for South Africa, but also smashed Michael Johnson’s long-standing world record. His 43.03 run slashed 0.15 seconds off the great American’s mark set at the World Championships in Seville in 1999. It was not only Van Niekerk’s heroics in Rio that landed him the honour. In the year in review, he became the first man to run a sub-10 second 100m, sub-20 200m and sub-44 400m. He won the 200m and 400m races at the Africa Championships in Durban. He’s also had a fantastic season in the IAAF Diamond League. Van Niekerk’s coach, Anna Botha was also honoured last night. Tannie Ans won Coach of the Year. List of Winners Sports Star of the Year: Wayde van Niekerk
Sportsman of the Year: Wayde van Niekerk
Sportswoman of the Year: Caster Semenya Coach of the Year: Anna Botha Newcomer of the Year: Ntando Mahlangu
Sportswoman of the Year with Disability: Ilse Hayes
Sportsman of the Year with Disabilty: Charl du Toit Team of the Year: Mamelodi Sundowns School Team of the Year: St Benedict’s Rowing Team