Maripa wins provincial award and heads off to internationals
“What a wonderful, emotional night! I am so grateful and honoured.”
South Africa’s leading men’s wheelchair tennis ace, Evans Maripa, claimed another major provincial award at the Gauteng Sport Awards held on Sunday, 1 October at Silverstar Casino.
The 27-year-old, who is currently on tour in Europe, was crowned Sportsman with a Disability of the Year. Maripa was named ahead of 15-year-old blade runner, Ntando Mahlangu, athlete, Pieter du Preez and two-time wheelchair tennis Grand Slam champion, Lucas Sithole.
The Limpopo native, who is the first man from Africa to be ranked in the top 12 globally, celebrated his first ever provincial award when he was named Sportsman with a Disability of the Year at the Limpopo Sports Awards in 2016.
Maripa has had a stellar season, winning two titles in Israel, was crowned the Polish Open doubles champion and captured the Joburg Open singles and doubles titles.
The world Number 12 athlete became emotional when he received the news of his award. “What a wonderful, emotional night! I am so grateful and honoured. A big thank you to Faith Mazibuko, MEC of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation and her team, and Wheelchair Tennis South Africa (WTSA), who travelled this journey with me,” said Maripa.
“Winning this award is so far the best feeling I have ever experienced in my life. It all brings back memories of my late mother. I wish she was here to witness this special moment.”
Karen Losch, General Manager for WTSA, said Maripa is the most outstanding wheelchair tennis player of his generation, “and today we celebrate this great award with him. We continue to be proud of our athletes for the hard work they put in on court, and we’re grateful to the Gauteng Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Department for recognising their hard work”.
Maripa headed to the Open d’Amiens – Hauts de France on Monday, 2 October, to take part in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) level 1 tournament in France.
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