SA’s Wayde and Caster scoop top honours

South African Wayde van Niekerk celebrates after winning the men's 400m final of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. File picture: Antonio Lacerda/EPA

South African Wayde van Niekerk celebrates after winning the men's 400m final of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. File picture: Antonio Lacerda/EPA

Published Nov 28, 2016

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Bloemfontein - When you annihilate a long-standing world record to be crowned Olympic champion, it is only logical that your country celebrates you as Sports Star of the Year.

And South Africa did just that in Bloemfontein on Sunday night, crowning local lad Wayde van Niekerk at the SA Sports Awards - the second successive such honour for the sprint star.

Van Niekerk beat fellow Rio 2016 gold medalist Caster Semenya and cricketer Kagiso Rabada to the top gong.

He also won the Sportsman of the Year award, while Semenya walked away with the Sportswoman of the Year accolade.

[ #SASA16 BTS 🎥] Here he is SA 🇿🇦, your boy @WAYDEDREAMER!!! pic.twitter.com/fGbTDgMijt

— SA Sport Awards (@SASportAwards) November 27, 2016

In Brazil at the Olympics in August, Van Niekerk stunned the world with a perfect run from lane eight to not only win 400m gold for South Africa, but to smash Michael Johnson's long-standing record as well.

His 43.03 run slashed 0.15 seconds off the great American's mark that had looked invincible since he set it at the World Championships in Seville way back in 1999. And because of that, Van Niekerk also received the honour of Best Athlete Olympics.

Sportsman of the Year Award goes to: @WaydeDreamer #Izinjazegame pic.twitter.com/mf4DtwwtHM

— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) November 27, 2016

But it was not only for his Olympic run that the 24-year-old shone brightest at the Sand du Plessis theatre.

In the year in review, Van Niekerk became the first man to run a sub-10 second 100m, sub-20 in 200m and sub-44 in the 400m. He duly won both the 200m and 400m races at the Africa Championships in Durban. Van Niekerk also had a fantastic season in the IAAF Diamond League to raise his status as a global icon seen by many as the logical replacement for Jamaica's Usain Bolt as athletics’ poster boy.

The woman behind Van Niekerk's success - Anna Botha - was also honoured on Sunday night: Tannie Ans walked away with the Coach of the Year award.

Congrats to my friends @WaydeDreamer and @caster800m sportsman/women of the year @SuperSportTV @SASportAwards much deserved

— Chad Le Clos (@chadleclos) November 27, 2016

Semenya, who silenced many of her critics by sauntering to 800m gold in Rio, was the obvious winner of the Sportswoman of the Year accolade.

Youngster Ntando Mahlangu, the 14-year-old Paralympics T42 silver medalist, won the Newcomer of the Year.

Ilse Hayes and Charl du Toit scooped the accolades for Sportswoman and Sportsman with Disability.

There was also glory for Mamelodi Sundowns, who were crowned Team of the Year for their fantastic season.

Former Springbok captain and World Cup winner Francois Pienaar, boxing legend Mzimasi Mnguni and former Independent Newspapers' journalist Thomas Kwenaite were given lifetime achievements awards.

The night, however, belonged to Wayde van Niekerk as he dominated the SA Sports Awards for the second year running.

The Sportwoman of the year Award goes to @caster800m #Izinjazegame pic.twitter.com/2UPymUpMLB

— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) November 27, 2016

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 Disability: Charl du Toit

Team of the Year: Mamelodi Sundowns

School Team of the Year: St Benedict's Rowing

IOL

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