JOHANNESBURG – Caster Semenya was the winner at the annual SA Sports Awards where she walked away with the two major accolades in Bloemfontein last night.
The track star was recognised for her stellar performances in 2018. Swimming star Chad le Clos was named Sportsman of the Year.
Two-time Olympic champion Semenya was crowned Sportswoman of the Year and Sports Star of the Year in the South African Sports and Recreation annual awards evening.
Semenya went on a medal-winning spree this year clinching the 800-1500m double gold at the Commonwealth Games, the 400-800m double at the African Championships, the 800m Diamond Trophy and the Continental Cup title in her specialist two-lap event.
She was unbeaten in her nine 800m finals including the Commonwealth Games, African Championships, Diamond League final and Continental Cup while setting national records in the 400m, 800m, 1000m and 1500m.
The queen of South African athletics also made the IAAF-nominated ranks for the IAAF Female World Athlete of the Year award, making the shortlist of 10 nominees. Semenya’s mentor, Samuel Sepeng, brother of South African middle-distance legend Hezekiel, received the Coach of the Year award.
@Sport_TUT would like to congratulate, @caster800m, for winning the 2018 SA Sportwoman and Sport Star of the Year Awards at the @SASportAwards held in Bloemfontein. We would also like to congratulate her coach, @samuel_sepeng, for winning the 2018 SA Coach of the Year award. pic.twitter.com/7MZE4xPdTo
— RiseAsOne (@Sport_TUT) November 11, 2018
Le Clos was honoured for his feats over the last year with his performances at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games cementing his name in the annals of South African sport.
He won the butterfly golden treble winning the 50m, 100m, and 200m distances while he also became the most decorated Commonwealth swimmer, bowing out of the Games with 17 in total over three editions.
Queen of the pool Tatjana Schoenmaker was named as Newcomer of the Year thanks to her efforts at the Commonwealth Games in April.
She became the first able-bodied female swimmer since Joan Harrison at the 1954 Vancouver Games to win a gold medal at the multi-sport event.
She returned to South Africa as the Commonwealth 100-200m breaststroke double champion and the proud owner of three African records.
An incredible honour to be awarded Newcomer of the Year @SASportAwards. Wow, Thank you!! Can’t wait to see what the future holds! 🙏🙏 #sasa18 pic.twitter.com/rVES6U2XMa
— Tatjana (@TRSchoenmaker) November 11, 2018
The 2018 Awards had a strong female theme with Banyana Banyana being crowned Team of the Year.
The reigning 2017 CAF Team of the Year has qualified for the Africa Women Cup of Nations in Ghana from November 17 to December 1.
The SA Sports Awards winners for 2018 are:
Sportsman of the Year: Chad le Clos
Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Mdodozi Ntutu
Sportswoman of the Year: Caster Semenya
Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Anrune Liebenberg
Team of the Year: Banyana Banyana
Newcomer of the Year: Tatjana Schoenmaker
Coach of the Year: Samuel Sepeng
Sports Star of the Year: Caster Semenya