In another example of why age is but a number and never something that should hold anyone back from going after their goals, powerhouse Gill Tregenna (who is in her 80s) has broken a world walking record!

Cape Town, South Africa (04 March 2024) — Gill Tregenna has just etched her name into the history books after she cracked a world walking record and left a trail of inspiration behind her.

At Athletics South Africa’s South African Champs held in Cape Town on Saturday, Gill saddled up to compete in the 80-85 category’s twenty-kilometre walk.

Putting the power in a power walk, the member of the Westville Athletic Club didn’t just make herself and her club proud, but South Africa after she made international victory with her new world walking record.

A treasure of an achievement at any age, Gill’s moment is even more significant considering all the inspiration we are sure her determination will impart to anyone who has ever thought that age restricts achievements.

No stranger to achievements (many of which have been in the past few years) in 2023, Gill competed in the African Masters Championship, came first and broke the South African 10km record for her division by a whopping two minutes. And a few years before that, she won the Athletics South Africa Champs’ 10km which led her to hold the title of the fastest female in South Africa for her age group!

Meanwhile, in other news of determined female South African athletes doing history-making things, Amber Fillary broke three Guinness World Records in the space of two days in a must-read series of achievements. 

Sources: Website submission; Westville Athletic Club 

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Youth and education-focused organisation Afrika Tikkun recently received very special gifts—new sports courts at its Diepsloot and Mfuleni centres!

South Africa (01 March 2024) — The month of February saw the exciting unveiling for Afrika Tikkun as newly inaugurated ‘sports courts’ were unveiled at the youth-focused organisation’s Diepsloot and Mfuleni centres in both Johannesburg and the Western Cape!

The Cruyff Courts unveiling events, which took place earlier this month, marked a significant milestone in community development; standing as a testament to the power of collaboration between organisations who believe in empowerment through laying the groundwork for empowerment and development.

Says Niels Meijer, CEO of the non-profit organisation Cruyff Court Foundation, provided a global perspective on the impact of Cruyff Courts worldwide, highlighting Cruyff Foundation founder Johan Cruyff’s passionate advocacy for sport.

Meijer expressed pride in carrying Johan’s legacy forward through various initiatives across Africa, emphasizing the foundation’s commitment to fostering play, inclusion and community development.

Through the Cruyff Courts, the Foundation highlighted how communities worldwide can inspire and support each other, especially when children have a safe space to play, grow, and even discover talents just waiting to be unleashed.

Afrika Tikkun Group CEO Onyi Nwaneri underlined the pivotal role of the Cruyff Courts as a catalyst for positive change within the communities of Diepsloot and Mfuleni. Highlighting the importance of sports and recreation in holistic development, she underscored how these activities provide avenues for growth, leadership and a brighter future.

“Together, we have created a space that not only celebrates sports but also empowers individuals and builds stronger, more connected communities”,—Onyi Nwaneri.

Sources: Supplied; Afrika Tikkun 

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From Soweto to the States, sprinter and speed prince Shaun Maswanganyi is taking the running world by storm! Recently, he set a brand new record, making South Africa proud on international tracks:

Texas, USA (01 March 2024) — Shaun Maswanganyi, the iconic 23-year-old sprinter, continues to solidify his title as a prince of speed after a hugely successful stretch in Texas.

An athlete who has held South Africa’s flag up to the stars at every level of competition, Shaun has just made South Africa proud again by setting a brand new record at a track competition that saw speed take centre stage at Texas Tech University.

From Soweto to the States, Shaun’s career as an athlete has grown from strength to strength. No stranger to making South Africa proud, last year, he earned silver in the 100m of the FISU World University Games in China. He has also competed in the Tokyo Olympics, and was ranked as fastest male athlete in SA after his 200m clock-in which dipped below 20-seconds last year. Better yet, these are just a few of his achievements; with others ranging from national records to being crowned the African U20 champion.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Shaun Maswanganyi, OLY (@tshedzo.m)

In his recent record-rocking moment, the University of Houston sprinter set a men’s 200m record with 20.41 seconds on the clock. According to Houston Cougar Track and Field, this incredible display of speed means that Shaun has made an “all-time South African record’—the “fastest in South Africa’s 200m indoor short track history”!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Shaun Maswanganyi, OLY (@tshedzo.m)

Although he might be a Houston local these days, Shaun’s determination to represent South Africa with pride is unwavering; beneath the red and white kit he wears is green and gold blood as he continues his career as a local and international legend in the making.

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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From Kimberley to the world, skateboarder Damian Bramley is making epic moves on international skateboarding paths as he guns for his spot at the Paris Olympics!

Kimberley, South Africa (28 February 2024) — 23-year-old Damian Bramley, a local skateboarder who calls Kimberley home, is showing off his skateboarding skills to the world as he participates in the World Skateboarding Tour Dubai Park & Street 2024!

Damian’s talent with wheels caught a lot of attention at the Kimberley Diamond Cup; so much so that the provincial government has gotten on board (pun intended) in backing their lad.

Taking place until 3 March in Dubai, the World Skateboarding Tour could be Damian’s ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The event will be a segue to the next stage of qualifiers for Olympic qualification set to take place in Shanghai and Budapest later this year.

“Competing at the World Skateboarding Tour Dubai Park & Street 2024 is a dream come true for me. The opportunity to compete against the best in the world and earn a spot in the Paris Olympics is something I’ve worked tirelessly for, and I’m grateful for the support of my community and the provincial government,” Damian shared. 

Skateboarding as an Olympic event only made its debut in Tokyo in 2021, which means it is still a relatively fresh discipline at the most prestigious games. Seeing a South African wave our flag in this sense is hugely exciting, as is Damian’s journey to get there.

Sources: Northern Cape Department Finance, Economic Development and Tourism 

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It was a shining first-time experience for South Africa’s Yane van der Merwe at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix after she not only scored silver but simultaneously broke an African record!

Dubai, UAE (19 February 2024) — Yane van der Merwe made her first time at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix count in a big way with a stellar silver debut experience that’s added another record-breaking moment to South Africa’s tally.

Representing the country and her University (the University of Johannesburg) Yane who is a Sports Science Master’s student, made her wish to earn a podium placement come true while setting a new African record in the process.

During the discus class F44 (lower limb deficiency category), Yane made her power throw a star of the show with a whopping 31.88 metres. Despite narrowly missing the gold medal to Norway, Yane’s silver came with its own epic bonus—the new African record.

Although the result was not entirely what the para athlete wanted (as it is for any serious athlete where gold tends to be first prize) her University, city and country are incredibly proud of her achievement that has us even more excited for the Paralympic Games.

Yane has a powerful record of proud moments, including finishing in the top ten positions in shotput and discus in the World Championships last year as well as being part of the cohort who represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

She is also the African record holder in the T44 discus throw with 31.66m and the captain of the UJ Sports for Students with Disabilities Team.

Says Yane humbly: “I can only go up from here. I’m looking forward to this year’s Paralympic Games in Paris, France.”

Sources: University of Johannesburg 

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With the Accra African Games under a month away, the excitement of South African athletes is loud and proud! Here are the sports South Africa will be participating in and rooting for!

South Africa (16 February 2024) — The 2024 (technically 2023) African Games set to take place in Accra, Ghana, are just under a month away and the excitement of athletes is loud and proud across South Africa.

This will be the 13th annual African Games where athletes from across the continent will compete in their respective disciplines for a chance to break records, win titles and make their home countries proud. A massive tournament that happens only every four years (usually one year before the Olympics, however 2023’s edition was delayed) the African Games are also a chance for our continent’s budding sporting excellence to shine on the prestigious platform.

Not to mention, opportunities to book qualifications for the Paris Olympics are also on the cards; including Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon, Cycling and Wrestling.

South Africa will be Participating in the Following Sports:

• Arm Wrestling
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Beach Volleyball
• Boxing
• Chess
• Cricket (Men and Womens)
• Hockey (Men and Womens)
• Judo
• Karate
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Taekwondo
• Triathlon
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling
• Tennis

“The African Games have historically been a successful springboard for Team SA athletes who have gone on to claim world championship and international glory. All of Penny Heyns (six golds in 1995 Harare and 1999 Johannesburg), Chad le Clos (9 golds across Maputo in 2011 and Brazzaville in 2015) and Caster Semenya (gold in 2015 in Brazzaville), were some of the African Games champions who were also Olympic gold medallists,” said SASCOC President, Barry Hendricks.

According to the event’s organisers, the African Union, over 4000 athletes in total are expected to participate in the games from 8 to 24 March!

Full team lists have been announced and can be viewed on Team South Africa.

Sources: African Union; Team SA

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South African men’s and women’s wheelchair tennis teams won their titles and will now represent the continent as African champions!

Abuja, Nigeria (13 February 2024) — Good news for South African tennis has come in a big way after our local men’s and women’s wheelchair tennis teams won their titles at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup Africa Qualification Event in Abuja, Nigeria. This has earned them the honour of representing the continent at the World Group Event as teams of African champions.

Meet the African Champions

Women’s team: Kgothatso Montjane and Mariska Venter

Men’s team: Alwande Sikhosana and Evans Maripa

Both teams performed outstandingly at the Paribas World Team Cup, defeating Morocco 2-0 in the men’s and women’s finals.

Led by coach Patrick Selepe, the teams have reminded South Africans (yet again) that the talent of our nation continues to conquer, inspire and uplift.

The news comes at a particularly significant time for South African tennis as our stints in Australia surrounding the Open didn’t go as planned. But if there’s one thing we know about our local sports heroes; being down does not mean being out!

The World Group Event is penciled for May and will take place in Turkey where teams from around the globe will slam down for victory.

Meanwhile, in other African champion-approved news, swimmer Erin Gallagher started off the World Aquatics Championship with a major splash after she broke an African record and secured her spot in the finals for the first time ever!

Sources: Tennis SA 

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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It’s Midmar Weekend, and the Charity Swims have already been underway with over 200 swimmers taking part!

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (11 February 2024) — This weekend marks the 51st Midmar Mile, where swimmers from across the world gather over a love of open water dives and camaraderie. But the fun already kickstarted when over 200 swimmers made their way to the water to dive into their 2024 charity swims; making a difference one stroke at a time.

The Charity Swims began on Thursday morning and continued on Friday. The task saw swimmers aim to complete either 8 miles (around 13 kilometres) or 16 miles (roughly 26 kilometres) before or by 2 pm on Friday the 9th of February 2024.

These collective efforts contribute a whopping R2 million (and then some) to the charities taking part of the action—which is as incredible as it sounds.

Take a Look at the Swimmers Speeding on!

Part of the efforts was Jason Raath, an 8-mile champ who has completed the stretch 8 times before. This year though, Jason decided to ‘moove’ in an even more special way as he prepared to run in a cow suit to support CHOC.

Jason ran between the start and finish points that map the dam for the past two days of the event.

After he and a group of riders charioted a cancer patient along with them during the 94.7 cycle, CHOC took up a big space in Jason’s heart. Despite various charity challenges and charity swims over the years, he decided to commit to CHOC so as not to confuse donors.

Meanwhile in other epic Midmar news, by the end of this weekend, two swimmers will celebrate their semi-century Midmar milestones!

Sources: aQuellé Midmar Mile

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Gail Bristow and Martin Godfrey are preparing for an incredible Midmar Milestone—50 completed Midmars which will mark a semi-century of dedication!

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (30 January 2024) — Gail Bristow and Martin Godfrey are warming up their muscles for their semi-century Midmar Mile swims; a celebration of decades of dedication, emotion and their own personal histories with the open water event.

For fifty Midmars, these two have put on their cozzies and caps, ensuring that they never missed a splash.

Today, the Midmar Mile is no hum-drum occasion and attracts thousands of entrants to KwaZulu-Natal. Beyond being a great opportunity to bond with other swimmers on the route, to a sense of self-accomplishment, it’s also the largest open-water event in the world.

But, Martin remembers a time when the Mile was far more humble. Reflecting on the first-ever Midmar (1974, in which he finished third) he shared:

“The gun went off at 9 am and we raced across to the other side. There was a raft at the halfway mark which was used by those needing a break and the polo players swam with water polo balls. I was the only swimmer wearing a cap. My dad said I should wear a white one so he could see me in the water. At the finish we were given a handwritten certificate and there was a small prizegivng and by 11 am, it was all over.” 

For the better part of the last two decades, Martin has also been part of organising the event and is the announcer who kickstarts the race.

For Gail who is now a retired teacher, being able to partake in her semi-century race is a privilege.

“It is a scary thought to think of 50 years of Midmar. It is a huge milestone and I never imagined it possible. I feel very grateful to be able to keep swimming for all these years.”

What an achievement of passion and commitment! The Midmar Mile is on from 8-11 February. Anyone keen has until tomorrow (31 January) to register. And if you’re looking for a squad with purpose, check out Love Howick’s Team Red!

Sources: Team SA 

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Novice Bongani Mbanjwa recently claimed the “Run the Rivers” title but not without making a rookie mistake. Moral of the story? You can still make a mistake and come out on top!

Underberg, South Africa (29 January 2024) — Novice Bongani Mbanjwa has taken home the Euro Steel Run the Rivers title at the trial run after a successful stint despite a rookie mistake over the weekend.

This was not only Bongani’s very first time competing in the Run the Rivers event, but also his third race ever. As an Underberg local, it was also a satisfying home town win.

Bongani’s title grab came with an overall time of 2:40:23 over the two-day event. which saw Philip Shezi (who has won the race five times) in a new position—second place.

The 21km race has become a favourite for those who enjoy challenging conditions in the Southern Drakensberg where hills, humidity and hundreds of racers go toe-to-toe.

But Bongani’s win did not come without a little humour and a lesson (especially for the perfectionists among us). Upon reaching the front of the pack and preserving his lead, Bongani came to realise that there were no athletes around him. This led him to think he had taken a wrong turn! As such—which might make sense to anyone who has never run a specific route before—he turned around to find a marker.

A fellow runner, Andrew Erasmus who was headed the other way, reassured him that he was going the correct path. But, Bongani needed more reassurance. He followed his confusion before eventually getting back on track. Nonetheless, he still claimed the win overall thanks to his Saturday time.

“It was a good race and I enjoyed it, even though I made a mistake and finished second today,” said Mbanjwa. “This was the first time I have run this race and it is only my third competitive race overall. One of my previous runs was the Sani Stagger 42.2km, where I finished fifth.”

Bongani’s story is a shining example that you can make a mistake and still win in the long run. And that mistakes are not defining markers for success!

Here are the Full Results:

1 Bongani Mbanjwa 2:40:23
2 Phillip Shezi 2:41:24
3 Andrew Erasmus 2:46:59
4 Gareth Marquiss 2:47:46
5 Ezra Robertson 2:49:49
6 David Lamont 2:53:28
7 Peter Jacobs 2:57:36
8 Joshua Balfour 3:01:45
9 Daniel Francesconi 3:08:17
10 Chris De Beer 3:08:18

Female

1 Kerry-Ann Walton 2:52:19
2 Tarryn Lopez 3:04:06
3 Janneke Leask 3:12:20
4 Amy Mathew 3:23:30
5 Chloe Veness 3:25:28

Sources: Euro Steel Run the Rivers 

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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