Top five local sport stories of 2021

1. Pretoria’s swimming superstar, Tatjana Schoenmaker made headlines around the world when she won the 200m-breaststroke in a world record time of 2:18.95 at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The 24-year-old Tuks swimmer also won the silver medal in the 100m-breaststroke final at the Games which meant she now ranked in the top 10 of FINA’s all-time list in the 100m-breaststroke and the 200m-breaststroke.

For her heroics, Tatjana Schoenmaker was crowned the 2021 Gauteng Sportswoman of the Year after her incredible performances throughout the year. Her coach, Rocco Meiring was handed the Coach of the year award.

2. Another local sensation, Nthando Mahlangu, shocked the world when he won the gold medal in both the men’s long jump T63 and men’s 200m T61 events at the Tokyo Paralympics. The double-amputee won the 200m in the T61 category, clocking 23.59 seconds, only slightly off his own world record of 22.92 seconds set in Gqeberha in April this year.

Earlier this month, he was named the Disabled Sportsman of the Year.

The 19-year-old’s inspirational story also caught the attention of the South African public.

At the age of 10, in 2012, the 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).

3. Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies were crowned the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League winners in November following their 2-0 win over Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana.

Following their impressive win, President Cyril Ramaphosa took to social media to congratulate Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.

Their triumph means that both the men’s and women’s teams at Mamelodi Sundowns have now won the biggest club competition on the African continent.

4. The Gauteng Jaguars of Pretoria continued their dominance of the Telkom Netball League by winning their fifth title in October.

The Jaguars, who were participating in their eighth consecutive final in the tournament, walked away with R350 000 following their win.

5. Blue Bulls show their dominance with successive Currie Cup titles.

The Blue Bulls made it two from two in as many seasons when they successfully defended the Carling Currie Cup title against the Sharks in a one-sided final in Pretoria in September.

The same two teams that contested the 2020 final were in action again at the end of the 2021 season, but unlike the last time, when the winner was only determined after 100 minutes of nail-biting rugby, the Blue Bulls simply had too much class for the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld. They won 44-10.

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