Ernst van Dyk, the South African wheelchair racer celebrated Disability Month in style by clinching the 2nd position at the New York Marathon on Saturday. Nominated for the Sports Man of the Year with Disability, he finished in 1:40.1. He finished in the top three of a major marathon for the fourth time this season. His other top 3 results were in Boston, London and Chicago.
SA Sport Awards Disability Categories are as follows:
1. Sportsman of the Year with Disability
- Ernst van Dyk
- Hilton Langenhoven
- Lucas Sithole
2. Sportswoman of the Year with Disability
- Ilse Hayes
- Kgothatso Montjane
- Roxy Burns
Meanwhile other nominees in the Disability categories, Lucas Sithole and Kgothatso Montjane will take part in the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters in California on 5 to 11 November 2013. The tournament includes the top 8 women and men and top 4 quadriplegics in the world.
Lucas Sithole, Sports Star of the Year and Sportsman of the Year with Disability nominee, is currently ranked number 2 in the world. In September he made history by becoming the first African to win a US Open title in the singles game of any kind after winning the wheelchair quad singles title against America’s David Wagner. This is all part of his build up to the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Kgothatso Montjane, nominee for the Sportswoman of the Year with Disability award will be participating in the singles and doubles. Ranked no. 6 in the women’s singles world rankings she made history by becoming the first African wheelchair tennis player to ever take part in a Grand Slam event. She won the Sportswoman of the Year with Disability award in 2010.
Mr Fikile Mbalula, Minister of Sport & Recreation South Africa said, “We would like to congratulate Ernst van Dyk for his stellar performance. South Africa is proud of all its Sports Stars. We have a strong history of South African athletes with disability performing well globally. We hope that as we observe November as Disability Month young people with disability will continue to be inspired by our heroes such as Ernst van Dyk and Lucas Sithole.”
The overall winner will be chosen by the adjudication panel appointed by SASCOC in consultation with the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa.
In the meantime, the public is encouraged to vote for their favourite sporting heroes in the Sports Star of the Year category. To vote dial *120*8883# “Sports Star” followed by a number 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
1) Itumeleng Khune
2) Chad Le Clos
3) Mapaseka Makhanya
4) Hashim Amla
5) Lucas Sithole
Voting closes on Sunday, 17 November 2013 at 21h30. The winners will be announced at a sensational event in Sun City.
For comments please contact:
Paena Galane
Cell: 079 509 9833
E-mail: paena@srsa.gov.za
