Dr Karabo Semenya
In a resounding triumph, 800m runner Prudence Sekgodiso was crowned the Sport Personality of the Year at the recent Athletics South Africa (ASA) awards.
Sekgodiso’s mesmerising performances on the track, coupled with her poise and grace both on and off the field, won the admiration of the public. However, her victory was hard-fought, as she faced fierce competition from a host of Olympians, including:
- Akani Simbine: The charismatic sprinter, a 2024 Olympian and anchor of the silver-medal-winning 4x100m relay team at the World Championships, was a formidable contender.
- Jo-Ane van Dyk: The accomplished javelin thrower, a World Silver Medallist and reigning ASA Female Athlete of the Year, demonstrated exceptional talent.
- Bayanda Walaza: The 18-year-old rising star, the world’s fastest teenage runner and ASA Junior Male Athlete of the Year, captivated audiences with his electrifying speed.
- Walaza and Simbine dominated multiple categories throughout the year, consistently delivering stellar performances on the global stage. Their crowning moment came at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the 4x100m relay team—comprising Walaza, Shaun Maswanganyi, Bradley Nkoana, and Simbine—smashed the African record with a time of 37.65 seconds. The hall erupted in thunderous applause as SuperSport replayed the race, celebrating this historic feat.
The ceremony also recognised the contributions of technical officials, with Kedibone Baloyi receiving the Best Female Technical Official award, presented by Siyanda Mnukwa, Executive Director for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg. This accolade underscored the critical role technical officials play in nurturing and developing future generations of athletes.
Matome Chiloane, Gauteng’s MEC for Education, Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the growth of athletics in South Africa. “Athletics is more than just a sport; it builds resilience, discipline, and a strong work ethic,” Chiloane stated.
“We will continue to invest in our athletes and provide them with the necessary infrastructure to excel on the world stage. ASA has firmly placed South Africa on the global athletics map. Maintaining world-class facilities is essential to enabling our athletes to achieve their full potential.”
ASA President James Moloi expressed his gratitude to the entire athletics community, including athletes, clubs, parents, officials, media, sponsors, and his board. “It is through the collective support of these individuals and organisations that ASA can deliver programmes empowering our athletes to reach their full potential,” Moloi said.
“2024 was a year of extraordinary achievements, and we look forward to even greater success in 2025.”
SOURCED FROM THE JOBURG WEBSITE.
