Mahlangu and Schoenmaker the stars at Gauteng Sports Awards
Mahlangu was the obvious choice as Disabled Sportsman of the Year having won Gold at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo this year.
Two top local athletes were awarded at this year’s Gauteng Sports Awards the past weekend.
Matric learner Ntando Innocent Mahlangu bagged the Disabled Sportsman of the Year and the Sports Personality of the Year award, while Tatjana Schoenmaker was crowned Sportswoman of the Year.
Following a hiatus in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic that rocked the world and put many people into very challenging situations, it was with a smile on her face that Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC, Mbali Hlophe hosted the finalists at a glittering awards ceremony.
Mahlangu was the obvious choice as Disabled Sportsman of the Year, having won gold at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo this year.
The double-amputee won the 200m in the T61 category, clocking 23.59sec, only slightly off his own world record of 22.92sec set in Gqeberha in April this year. The 200m gold medal was a fitting end to the Games for Mahlangu, after having won the long jump competition with a world record leap of 7.17m.
His inspirational story also caught the attention of the South African public who voted in their numbers that the 19-year-old should earn the title of Sports Personality of the Year.
At the age of 10, in 2012, a decision was made to have the operation after Mahlangu had spent most of his life to that point in a wheelchair. At birth, he had been diagnosed with fibular hemimelia, a congenital condition that affected both his legs from the knee down. Children who have fibular hemimelia are born with a short or missing fibula (one of the two bones in the lower leg).
Tatjana Schoenmaker was crowned the 2021 Gauteng Sportswoman of the Year after her incredible performances throughout the year that culminated in Olympic gold and silver and a world and Olympic record.
She stunned the world when she swam 2:20.17 for the 200m breaststroke in Durban at the SSA Swimming Grand Prix in April, to post the fastest time in the world before heading into the Olympics. If ever there were any doubts that she was more than just a medal contender, then that time laid those to rest very quickly.
Speaking at the awards MEC Mbali Hlophe said: “We wish to congratulate all winners and finalists of this year’s Gauteng Sports Awards.
“The last 20 or so months have been difficult for all in the sporting industry, especially the athletes and those who help them train. Therefore, it has been a big pleasure and indeed a privilege to once again be able to reward our stars of today and tomorrow. Athletes are inspirational and make a big difference in uplifting society and for that, they need to be recognised and rewarded.
“We hope that tonight’s awards have been able to go some way in making up for the last 18 months of challenge and hardship,” she said.
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