Olympic gold makes sprinter Wayde van Niekerk SA’s sports star of the year

Sprinter Wayde van Niekerk ran away with top plaudits at the South African Sport Awards on Sunday.

He took home the prizes for Sports Star of the Year‚ Sportsman of the Year and People’s Choice‚ while his coach Anna Botha‚ was named Coach of the Year at a function in Bloemfontein.

The 24-year-old Van Niekerk was an almost dead-cert for the award after smashing Michael Johnson’s 17-year-old 400m record of 43.18 seconds at the Rio 2016 Olympics with his 43.03 run.

His performances this year also made him the first man in history to run a sub-10 100m‚ sub-20 200m and sub-44 400m.

Caster Semenya’s gold in the 800m at Rio earned her the Sportswoman of the Year award. In April‚ she also made history when she won the 400m‚ 800m and 1,500m events at the South African National Championships.

Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula said: "No category was cut and dried for the judges; deciding the winners was an arduous task. Congratulations to each and every one of them and I hope they know how proud we are of them. We are a proud sporting nation thanks to their exceptional talent and spirit."

The complete list of winners:

• Sports Star of the Year‚ Sportsman of the Year and People’s Choice: Wayde van Niekerk

• Sportswoman of the Year: Caster Semenya

• Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Charl du Toit (gold medallist in the 100m and 400m at Rio 2016 Paralympics)

• Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Ilse Hayes (silver medallist in the 100m and 200m T13 events at the Rio 2016 Paralympics)

• Sports Team of the Year: Mamelodi Sundowns: (CAF Champions League title winners)

• Newcomer of the Year: Ntando Mahlangu (athletics)

• Volunteer of the Year: Kim Pople (canoeing)

• Indigenous Games Team of the Year: North West Khokho Team

• National Federation of the Year: Roller Sport SA

• Recreation Body of the Year: Egoli Squash

• Photographer of the Year: Sydney Mahlangu

• Journalist of the Year: Thabiso Sithole

• School Team of the Year: St Benedict’s men’s coxless pair

• Developing School Team of the Year: Benny’s Sports Academy

• Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achiever Awards: Thomas Kwanaite (sports journalist)‚ Mzimasi Mnguni (Boxing promoter); and Francois Pienaar (rugby player)

TMG Digital