The adjudication committee of the Boxing SA (BSA) awards has four weeks to come up with ultimate winners in each of the 15 categories.

The last three nominees from each category were officially announced yesterday at a media briefing at Premier Hotel in Durban.

The awards ceremony will take place on June 30 at the Durban ICC.

BSA opened the process of voting on May 8 which ended on May 22. The period under review for nomination is April 1 2022 until March 31 2023.

About 2,000 nominations were received by BSA.

The last awards took place in 2019 for the period of 2018. Covid-19 then came and disrupted everything. Fighters like Ludumo Lamati will feel let down because his gallant performance when he won the IBO junior featherweight title against José Martín Estrada in 2021 during those trying circumstances could not be recognised.

The same happened to Prince Dlomo whose stunning sixth round knockout of Xolisani Ndongeni in 2020  could have easily won the gong in that year’s KO award.

Guest on the line: Founder and Owner of TLB boxing promotions –Joyce Khungane

Guest on the line: Bukiwe Beekay Nonina - -Professional Female Boxer -Current ABU Champion -5x SA Champion -3x WBF World Champion -2x SA Boxer of the Year -WBF fighter of the Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Comrades Marathon Association has advised supporters to take note that the usual spectator spots and associated parking areas at Lynnfield Park, Umlaas Road and Camperdown will be out of bounds on race day due to the roadworks on the N3.

 

The 96th Comrades Marathon race takes place on Sunday, 11 June and is a ‘down run’ from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

 

Cato Ridge will be the first available spot where supporters can gather and see the runners.

 

Following the excitement of the Cape Town leg of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series that took place just over a week ago, Stillwater Sports is thrilled to announce that Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw, who is currently the World Record Holder in the 10km, will headline the women’s race at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday 09 July 2023. Her world record stands at 29:14 and was set in Spain in 2022.

 

“This is massive news for the series and for SA road running. Not only is Yalemzerf Yehualaw’s entry into the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K the highest point for the Series to date, but it’s also a fantastic accomplishment for South African sport,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. “We’ve seen the level of South African middle-distance running improve immensely over the last couple of years. This can be attributed to the fact that SA’s elites are being given more opportunities to race against the world’s best athletes on home soil. With a world record behind her name, lovers of the sport will see the world’s best female runner compete in Durban. We can’t wait to welcome Yalemzerf to the start line, ready to make history.”

Guest on the line: Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series - Michael Meyer

Defending Comrades Marathon champions Tete Dijana and Alexandra Marazova will return to action at the 2023 edition of the race on June 11, race director Rowyn James said on Thursday morning.

All of the top 10 men and eight of the women from 2022 have signed up for the 87.701km ultra marathon.

With Gerda Steyn competing after missing last year’s race, there is a possibility that South Africans could win the men’s and women’s titles.

And with pundits expecting the best down times to be broken on the slightly shorter course from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, winners could pocket R1.2m each — R500,000 for the win, R500,000 for a best time and R200,000 for the first South African.

Guest on the line: Rowyn James · Race Director at Comrades Marathon Association

 

 

Preparations for the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 (VNWC2023) have stepped up a gear with the famous tournament trophy arriving on South African soil ahead of the highly-anticipated event taking place from the 28th July to 6th August 2023 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

With the VNWC2023 being the first Netball World Cup to take place on the continent of  Africa, it was fitting that the trophy arrived into South Africa on Africa Day, 25th May, a day which is celebrated across the whole continent.

Guest 1 on the line: Media Manager Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 –Bruce Davidson

 

Guest: Mike McGowan Mike has been competitively climbing for 2 years, and has already received Gauteng Colours and has now been selected for the SA Team. This is his dream and he has worked so hard to get here.

 

Competition climbing has grown tremendously over the last few years and is now an official sport in the Olympic Games.

 

There are three disciplines, Speed, Lead and Boulder.

 

Mike climbs all three disciplines and has been selected for Speed.

 

Speed climbing is an extremely tough discipline that puts your body through enormous stress. The speed wall is 15meters high and needs to be climbed as fast as possible! The Youth record (last time I checked) is 5.8 seconds.

 

Mike started the Climbing team at Northcliff High at the beginning of last year and has grown the team from 3 members to 20! He is good, solid leader, reliable and a mentor to the younger team climbers. The experience and knowledge he will get from climbing in an International competition will greatly benefit NHS.

 

 

The IFSC – International Federation of Sport Climbing is the international body.

 

The SANCF – South African National Climbing Federation is our body.

 

Unfortunately, our country cannot sponsor these climbers so it is up to us to raise the funds.

 

We need to raise approximately R60K per athlete.

 

 

 

 

 

Guest: Ernst Gwebani – Founder of iThemba Sporting SA

iThemba SportingSA is a nonprofit organisation located in Zwelihle location, Hermanus, South Africa, And is offering sports training and extracurricular activities to the kids of 10-23years in nearby schools of My Pleasant primary, Lukhanyo primary and Qhayiya senior school.

When Ernest Gwebani founded iThemba SportingSA in 2014, He set out to bring change to the livelihood of kids and young adults in the area. He invisioned that sports can provide sense of purpose to these young adults, keeping them away from criminality, drugs and other moral wrongs in life. As great Mandela once said "Sports can create hope where once there only despair"

This becomes ever more important during the current Corona virus crisis in which many of us lost jobs, livelihood and even our hope for a better future.

In this fundraiser we do not ask big sums of contributions even a small amount of donation can help us to keep going and hopefully create hope where there was only a despair.

I'm doing this for iThemba SportingSA project to buy the kiddies lunch boxes during the week training sessions as they coming from school and might not have any thing to eat at their home, and to pay for the league traveling fees , league registrations, playing cards for the team and referees officiating fees for the year.

Kids will be away on wrong doings and parents are having less stress when they are at work. Moreover it teaches the kids about life lessons and being the better people in life.

Guest: Jarrod Waberski - Karting champion

Jarrod Waberski heads to Oulton Park this weekend (7 – 10 April) for the first round of the 2023 GB3 championship. The South African single-seater talent has made the move up to GB3 this season, after finishing vice champion in the 2022 GB4 championship. A commendable feat in his debut season.

 

Despite the fact that Jarrod had never raced at any of the British circuits before, he achieved four race wins and multiple podium finishes during the season. Jarrod’s impressive performance also saw him being awarded South African Protea Colours earlier this year.

 

“I am truly proud to represent South Africa and was humbled to receive my national colours. I really have been inspired by the amount of support I have received from motorsport fans back home and sincerely thank all those who take the time to send me messages of support and encouragement,” expressed Jarrod.

 

Jarrod has also been selected to join the BRDC Rising Star programme.  Founded in 1928, the British Racing Drivers’ Club is one of the most exclusive clubs in global sport with sought-after membership strictly reserved for motorsport's high achievers. Those selected as Rising Stars are effectively Junior Members of the Club as well as an integral part of its talent development programme.

 

"It is an honour to be selected into such a prestigious programme and it is certainly a proud moment in my motorsport career.”

 

This year, Jarrod will be racing as part of the Fortec Motorsport team and unlike last year, has had the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming season with hours of on track and simulator training. Given the physicality of the GB3 car, Jarrod has also been working on fitness and strength training during the off season.

 

“I am excited for the season opener at Oulton Park and am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my motorsport aspirations. I think the racing is going to be very close and I am honoured to be part of such a talented field. A massive thank you to my family, team and sponsors for making all of this possible,” commented Jarrod.

 

 

Guest: Russell Nugent – Race Director

Brand-new, vibrant KAEM Ultra race will run together with the renowned KAEM Big Daddy, starting and finishing at Augrabies Falls National Park, South Africa.

South Africa, 1 May 2023 – Based on demand, the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon (KAEM) introduces a 5-day, supported, desert foot race that will cover a total distance of approximately 160km over 4 stages. The first of this exciting new event, named KAEM Ultra will start on 1 October 2023 with race briefing and medical checks. Early on Monday, 2 October the first participants to join this vibrant race will take on the challenge.

 

KAEM is well-known in international trail running circles for its “Big Daddy”, the 250km, 7-day, 6-stage, self-sufficient foot race that takes place annually in the Kalahari Desert. This year KAEM Big Daddy will kick off on 30 September, with KAEM Ultra joining the route that runs through Augrabies Falls National Park, adjacent private farmlands, and cultivated vineyards along the Orange River.

 

KAEM Ultra is in the format of a supported race where overnight bags will be transported for participants from camp to camp. Participants will receive goodie bags and will be allowed to pack up to 15kg that is to include all supplies required for the 5-day event, comprising a sleeping bag, mattress, clothing, food and supplements for the 5 days, and other required items. Participants will run or walk with a day pack that should include a minimum of 1.5L water, contained in bottles or a bladder, and compulsory survival gear for the stage. At the end of each stage, participants will collect their goodie bags, and in the morning prior to the start of the next stage, participants will hand in their bags for transportation.

 

Check Points on route are positioned every 8 to 10km and manned by a volunteer KAEM crew team. Participants receive 1.5L bottled Aquellé water at every Check Point, and 5L at the finish of each stage.

 

KAEM Ultra will share overnight camps with KAEM Big Daddy and “rough it up” in the same manner, offering KAEM Ultra participants a similar, magical Kalahari experience. At overnight camps, KAEM organisers provide stretch tents for cover and to sleep under as well as rudimentary toilet facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest on the line - Proteas assistant coach - Dumisani Chauke

The Absa Wildeklawer Sports tournament is one of the most significant sporting events in South Africa, attracting participants and spectators from all over the country, taking place in Kimberley, Northern Cape. This annual event has become a platform for grassroots sports development, providing an opportunity for young athletes to showcase their skills and learn from experienced coaches, role models, and players.

 

The Absa Wildeklawer Sports Tournament provides opportunities for primary and high school learners to compete in rugby, netball, and soccer. The senior sports tournament will take place on 28, 29 April & 01 May 2023.  Absa provides funding to the Wildeklawer Schools Rugby, Netball and Soccer Tournament in support of the development and promotion of excellence in school sports.