24 November 2015
Sprinter Wayde van Niekerk took home three awards, including South African Sport Star of the Year, from an event in Bloemfontein at which the Department of Sports and Recreation honoured its local heroes.
The 10th annual South African Sport Awards was held on Sunday night, 22 November. The 23-year-old Van Niekerk beat world champion downhill mountain biker Greg Minnaar and swimmer Chad le Clos to claim the prestigious Sportsman of the Year prize.
Van Niekerk also won the People’s Choice award.
He made headlines earlier this year when he claimed gold at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Beijing to become the first African 400m runner in almost a century to win a major global title. Van Niekerk posted the sixth fastest time in history, clocking 43.48 to claim the title.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation reported Van Niekerk said 2015 was about representing his country. “It was really just an honour to be able to stand on the podium and say I won a gold medal for South Africa, and here I get three awards.”
Those sportsmen and women who had been nominated in the categories that he had won had inspired and motivated him to be the athlete he was today. “I am just honoured and blessed that I could carry the legacy of the South African sport stars.”
Watch Van Niekerk share what keeps him motivated, and listen to how his family feels about his achievements:
South Africans shared their delight on Twitter:
Wayde van Niekerk is now the hottest property in SA Sport!!! Watch out #Rio2016, he has you in his sights… #IzinjaZeGame
— Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo) November 22, 2015
Congratulations to @WaydeDreamer on Winning the SA Sportsman of the Year Award! Well deserved! #SASA2015 #IzinjaZeGame
— Afrihost (@Afrihost) November 23, 2015
After all the accolades @WaydeDreamer has won this year he can finally say in @CassperNyovest voice #MamaIMadeIt #IzinjaZeGame
— Coach Dukes (@produkes) November 23, 2015
Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula also tweeted his thoughts on the winners:
Congratulations to all our winners and nominees of @SASportsAwards – you represented our country and made us provide – we Honour you
— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) November 22, 2015
Our athletes sacrifice, they represent our country on world stages with no expectation of any monetary reward – they deserve honors
— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) November 22, 2015
“Wayde did not win because he was done a favour, he won because he worked hard for it” @MbalulaFikile #workhardyouwillwin #tnabizbrief
— Dep. Sport & Rec (@SPORTandREC_RSA) Novem ber 23, 2015
“Our vision – is to get kids to to participate in sports every Wednesday” @MbalulaFikile #activenation #Ichoose2BActive #tnabizbrief
— Dep. Sport & Rec (@SPORTandREC_RSA) Novem ber 23, 2015
Van Niekerk was not alone in bringing home the trophies. The other winners in the different categories were:
Watch some of the highlights of the awards ceremony:
Source: News24Wire and SouthAfrica.info reporter
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