With the compound category still quite new to the rest of African, seven countries were represented.

Teenage sensation, Jorina Coetzee again showed her silver medal at World Championships in South Korea last year was no fluke.

Shooting in the searing desert heat, with a mild wind blowing, The Mpumalanga archer shot her 12-arrow match 108-104 against her Namibian opponent to bring home the gold. This is yet another addition to her already bulging trophy cabinet.

Then in the men’s compound category, Bloemfontein based Riaan Crowther silenced the crowd when he started off with a 25 against his Namibian arrival’s 27.

Then on the second end, he equalled his opponent with a score of 54, followed by both countries on 81. The last three arrows — X-10-10, brought Riaan home with a 111-109 lead to win gold.

Earlier in the competition, another South African competitor, Karen Hultzer, was eliminated in the semi-finals of the recurve category.

The South African had to abandon last week’s Tour of Murcia in Spain when it was thought his wife was about to give birth to the couple’s second child.

It was inopportune timing as Hunter was in rip-roaring form, having won the first two stages of the event.

On Wednesday the Garmin-Transition rider placed 146th as Team Milra’s Linus Gerdeman won the 148-kilometre stage between Livorno and Rosignano Solvay in 3hr 36min 15sec.

Riders were plagued by an ice-cold rain throughout the stage and will be hoping Thursday’s second stage of 165km in the Montecatini Terme region has better conditions.

SASCOC president Gideon Sam heartily congratulated the sports phenomenon on her triumph.

“Natalie has done us proud over the years,” enthused Sam. “All South Africans can be proud of her spirit and her never-say-die attitude.”

The powerful 26-year-old swimming star, who lost her leg in a scooter accident in 2001, is one of just five athletes to have competed in the Paralympics and Olympics, after swimming in both events in Beijing in 2008.

“She is a true inspiration to each and every athlete in this country, indeed the world, and we are are hoping that she can build on this prestigious award as we look ahead to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London,” said the head of South Africa’s Olympic governing body.

“It’s people like Natalie that provide the incentive for the youngsters to aspire to greatness. She fully deserves this acknowledgement.”

The Springbok rugby side were nominated in the Team of the Year category but lost out to the Brawn Racing GP outfit in this category.

“But the mere fact that they were nominated means that the spotlight is shining bright on our sports stars,” said Sam.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, who attended the Awards ceremony with players Bakkies Botha, Jean de Villiers and BJ Botha, said Du Toit and Brawn, as well as all other winners on the night, were deserving winners of the their awards.

“Congratulations to Natalie, who as a disabled athlete has shown that she has the guts and determination to take on the world’s best, be they disabled or able bodied. Her attitude should be an inspiration to us all.

“For Brawn GP, the Team of the Year accolade is due recognition for their achievements during 2009, which saw them produce a World Champion. They were up against some very strong competition, including the Springboks, in the category but are truly deserving of the Award. All the other winners deserve congratulations for being nominated amongst the world’s best in their respective categories,” De Villiers said.

The South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD) also sent congratulations, applauding Du Toit for “her determination, grit and humility as a true sporting superstar.

“Natalie is undoubtedly a wonderful inspiration to all South Africans, whether they have a disability or not,”  SASAPD chairman Koos Engelbrecht said. “Her determination to succeed has been a hallmark of her career, and this award once again underlines the high esteem she is held in World sporting circles.

“Natalie has been a true ambassador for South Africa abroad but has never forgotten her roots. We look forward to her celebrating this honour later this month in Port Elizabeth where she will be one of the star attractions at the Nedbank National Championships for the Physically Disabled (presented by SASAPD)”

Natalie made history in 2008 when she qualified to compete in both the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, winning five gold medals in the Paralympics.

In 2009, she managed another incredible goal, winning the 10km FINA Women’s marathon in under 1hr 57mins, coincidentally, also  in Dubai.

She also received the Order of Ikhamanga In Gold, from President Jacob Zuma – the highest honour any South African athlete can receive.

After receiving the award from fellow South African and Paralympic triple world record holder Oscar Pistorius and American movie star Kyle MacLachlan, Du Toit said: “It’s a great honour to be receiving this prestigious award. It is the third time that I’ve been to the Laureus Awards and the second time that I’ve been nominated. In 2010 it is our soccer World Cup, and to hold South Africa’s name high is very special for me. I know Laureus was started and founded by South Africans.

“Being a Friend & Ambassador for Laureus makes it very special for me to see what sport can do, how sports people can go into communities and really uplift them. I’ve seen those community projects, so to Laureus ‘well done’.”

Laureus World Sports Academy Member and Paralympic legend Tanni Grey-Thompson said: “I am delighted that my fellow Academy Members voted for Natalie. What she has achieved over the last decade has been amazing. Natalie is a fantastic ambassador for her sport and as one of only two people to have competed in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a remarkable athlete. She has shown determination and courage throughout her career and fully deserves this Award.”

Jamaican super-sprinter Usain Bolt won his second Laureus Sportsman of the Year award and American tennis player Serena Williams won the  women’s prize.

The Awards were announced in seven categories.

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Usain Bolt
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams
Laureus World Team of the Year: Brawn GP Formula One
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Jenson Button
Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Kim Clijsters
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Natalie du Toit
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Stephanie Gilmore

There were two additional Awards:
The Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to athletics legend Nawal El Moutawakel, while American basketball star Dikembe Mutombo won the Laureus Sport for Good Award for his charitable work in the Congo.

Stander, the reigning World Under-23 mountain bike champion, had to contend with more inclement weather conditions, including rain and thunder before winning the 143-kilometre second stage in a time of 3hr 51mi 23sec.

The Team Specialized rider coped well with the three ascents of the tough Vissershok climb to beat George, who is riding for Team SAfindit.co.za. Third was Kevin Evans, winner of the time trial at last month’s national road championships in Klerksdorp.

Twenty-two-year-old Stander has now overtaken first stage winner Rene Haselbach of Austria in the overall standings and is in the pink jersey for Thursday’s penultimate stage.

“I said before the tour that I’d like to win a stage,” said Stander. “I got squeezed out in the sprint on the first stage but when I was on Kevin’s wheel with 500 metres to go I knew I had it.”

Thursday’s stage is a 171km trek in the Paarl vicinity.

The event, which is in its seventh year, will take place from 21-28 March 2010.

Sauser will again team up with South Africa’s super talented young mountain biking champion and 2008 Olympian, Burry Stander, to ride the eight stages of the magical and untamed African mountain bike race.

The dramatic new route of the event will be as challenging as previous years. The race, the biggest of its kind in the world, will offer both local and international mountain biking enthusiasts the opportunity to participate in an eight-day mountain bike race of 722 kilometres with roughly 14 635m of climbing, again ending at its traditional Lourensford Wine Estate finish.

Sauser, who has been racing professionally since 1993, won the 2006 Absa Cape Epic with fellow Swiss rider Silvio Bundi. This will be the third consecutive year that he races with Stander as team Songo.info. Sauser lives in the mountain village of Sigriswil in the Swiss Alps, and spends at least two months training in Stellenbosch each year.

Twenty-two-year-old Stander, who lives and trains in Port Shepstone, Kwazulu-Natal, is the current Under-23 World Champion as well as the 2008 and 2009 World Cup Champion, and finished in third position overall in last year’s UCI World Cup series.
Sauser, who has participated in the Absa Cape Epic every year since 2006, says he really enjoys this event. “I love stage racing! It creates stories, rivalry and friendship over so many days. It’s tough and a win is worth so much more compared to a one-day race. The Absa Cape Epic is also very well organised with big hype surrounding it, and we ride through beautiful landscapes.” This will be Stander’s third Absa Cape Epic, which he describes as “a very unique challenge”.

Riding together for the third year in a row and having won four of the seven stages last year, Sauser says that “it’s is our big goal to finally win this year! But, this event is unpredictable, even if you’re considered to be one of the strongest teams.”

Stander adds: “After the last two years, I know not to be too confident. But we’re in good shape this year, and hopefully luck will be on our side.”

With regards to the revised UCI Rules, Sauser feels that they have improved for the better. “In any road stage race you have team cars supporting you, and outside assistance is allowed. We should therefore also be allowed similar privileges as we ride through such rough terrain. In addition, the cost for any team to participate in the event is enormous, so the rules must be reasonable. The race has to stay alive – and most importantly, the strongest team has to be able to win!”

For Stander not that much has changed. “Yes, there are more tech zones but they’re still far apart. If you have problems at the wrong time, it’ll cost you the race for sure.”

According to Sauser, the two train together quite often. “Since we are Specialised team mates, we ride together often at the races and team camps in Stellenbosch.” He adds with a smile: “The one day we even rode back from a World Cup to my home. It was way too long and we sucked at the next race the weekend after. I guess those mountain passes were too much for us. We’re a great team, and we have a lot of fun together and can motivate each other.”

Sauser’s advice for other participants is “go into the race with a specific and attainable goal, try find some groups with similar strengths, train for it so you can enjoy it, have a cold beer at the finish and eat Swiss chocolate!” Stander adds: “Don’t over think before the race. Go out there and take it as it comes. Stressing about things will only tire you out before the start.”

The course will be conducted by FISA Classifier trainers Judy Morrison and Simon Goodey.

The first two days of the course will feature the classsification process and medical and technical assessment and the third and final day will be a practical exercise.

Venue will be the RowSA offices at 132 Jan Smuts Avenue in Parkwood for the first two days before moving on to Victoria Lake, Germiston (venue to be confirmed).

The course is free of charge but can only accommodate a limited number of applicants so the closing date for applications is 26 March.

RSVP: Lynette Govender at: lynetteg@medikredit.co.za

Born and brought up in Soweto the 15-year -old twins live with their father who is a chef by profession. They are Grade Nine scholars at the nearby Letsibogo Girls High School where the enjoyment of their studies and attending class is somewhat overshadowed by their disappointment at not being able to play tennis for their school as there are no courts.

They started playing tennis in 2004 after a visit to their uncle in Pretoria where they per chance happened to see some players in action.

Being curious and rather intrigued about the game they decided to try it for themselves.The next day on their return home they immediately went to the Mzimhlophe Club in Soweto to sign up. Thus creating a love and passion for the game which they are determined will play a large part of their futures.

Nompumelelo and Nozipho attend lessons four times a week – Monday and Fridays they walk to their local tennis club whilst every Wednesday they are coached at the Weltevreden Park Tennis Club in the North West of Johannesburg by Mickey and Darren Styles.

This forms part of the GC Development Program where approximately 12 players are bused in from Soweto every Wednesday afternoon during school term, to receive professional coaching and gain some match practice. These young players are entirely sponsored by the GC Tennis Association who assists them with transport, kit – which includes clothing and equipment, stringing and entry fees for junior tournaments. Saturday mornings are reserved for training at the Gauteng Central Tennis Provincial squad sessions.

Unfortunately due to financial and transport restraints they are unable to enter many tournaments but when they do – they generally manage to leave their mark. In the recent GC Mini Series 1 played in February, the girls were hoping to make it a sisterly final however in the semi finals Nozipho was beaten by Kelly Goosen and sister Nompumelelo decided to revenge her twin’s loss by beating Kelly in the Under-16 final. This is not their first taste of success having won the Under-14 doubles title in the GC Super 7 a couple of years ago.

In 2007 Nozipho represented her province (GC) at the prestigious SATA annual junior Inter Provincial tournament held in East London. The following year, both girls were selected to the SA Team which participated in the ITF South and Central Under-13 development circuit. Nozipho and Nompumelelo were also selected as ball kids for the SA Open in 2010.

“The twins are very tenacious girls and they always want to do well despite things not being easy for them” says coach Mickey Styles. “They are extremely competitive players who always think positively and are quick to seize any opportunity and make it a milestone.”

They love their tennis but like all teenagers they also love being with friends and listening to Lady Gagga and the Black Eyed Peas. Both had no hesitation in declaring that lasagna and pap and vleis are there favorite foods. Boyfriends are not on the cards for now – tennis and studying being far more important.

You would have guessed correctly if you said that the Williams sisters are their favorite players with Roger Federer and Gael Monfils coming in a close second. They both agree that playing at Wimbledon is their ultimate goal and being extremely dedicated and above all passionate about their tennis, there’s little doubt that their determination will pay off, and who knows, maybe one day, South Africans will immediately recognize the names Nompumelelo and Nozipho Montja.

Riding for the Safindi.co.za team, Haselbacher covered the stage of 106 kilometres in 2hr 30min 40sec and leads the general classification standings.

Lange is one second adrift and Stander six seconds after riders were blessed with cooler conditions after Monday’s heatwave but riders had to be wary of wet road conditions after an early-morning thunderstorm.

Pre-race favourites Kevin Evans, David George and Hanco Kachelhoffer are all just 10 seconds off the pace.

An early casualty in the wet conditions was Stander’s Specialized teammate Shaun-Nick Bester. The son of former Comrades Marathon winner, Nic, he lost a few teeth when he hit the deck and also had to withdrew after his bike was damaged.

Wednesday’s second stage of 143km is not only longer than the first stage but riders will be required to tackle the daunting Vissershok climb not once but three times and this is where the true title contenders will emerge.

Stander ended third in the KwaZulu-Natal classic along with Specialized-Mr Price teammate Ben-Melt Swanepoel.

“Its not often I get to finish a race a mere 60 kilometers from home and for this reason I’m always really excited to take part in the strage race that’s runs from Underberg to Scottburgh over the course of three very demanding stages,” said Stander.

“After being in the highveld for almost two months training, racing and preparing for the season ahead I was super happy to be home. It was Ben-Melt and my first team race together so it was going to be interesting.

“It rained alot on the days leading up to the event and it didn’t quit for the start. We started the 82km stage off on some rolling district roads which were perfect for a warm-up. I felt realy good after some solid resting before the event as my heart rate showed. After around 15km we entered the first technical section and the racing was immediately on. It wasn’t long before we were only three teams left at the front. Team MTN with Albal Lakata as a guest rider was leading the charge and behind them were DCM. We soon hit a tough climb with Melt backing off and into a more constant pace. The course got really tough towards the end and Melt had a big off on a descent with a few kilometres to go. We ended up a comfortable third, around 7min off the winners, Team MTN.

“The next day we we tackled the 98km queen stage of the event and with the rain still unrelentless we were in for another dirty day The first 20km again were fast flowing roads and with a big bunch sticking together in very bad visibilty, it was rather sketchy. We hit some big climbs soon enough and again we were in the same select group as the day before. We stuck quite a bit longer and manged to only lose 6min to MTN on the day. I had alot of fun on day two and our bikes were working great thanks to the Specialized service crew.

“The final day is known as the ‘fast run down to the beach’ . The organisers however slowed it up with some more climbing and loads of fun single-track. So on day three we finished our usual third, around 1min down on the DCM Chrome team after the 76km stage. After the stage I rode home in some great conditions. I had a strong tailwind and glorious sunshine to bask in.

“This week is another busy one with the Giro del Capo stage race and I’m really psyched to get be in Cape Town to join Christoph Sauser as we do our final prep for the Cape Epic and World Cup season coming up.”

Speaking after South Africa’s 3-3 draw with India in their final pool game on Monday, Man-of-the-Match Smith said: “Our performance in the second half was not good enough. We had a good game plan, but far too often we did things off the cuff. That resulted in a high number of turnovers, allowing India to attack again and again.

“If one area of our game has been exposed at this tournament it has been our ability to stay focused for the full 70 minutes. I have said it before; goals can be scored in mere seconds. With the umpires encouraging more flow in the game and with the addition of the new self-pass rule the pace has increased dramatically.

“It means that every player has to be ‘in the zone’ for every single moment of the game.”

Looking back at the game, played before a hugely patriotic crowd, Smith said: “We had the opportunity to achieve something special for SA hockey. Australia’s win over Pakistan in the match before ours meant a win would have put us in fourth place in our pool, and a play-off match for seventh-eighth spot. A win would have also sent us leaping up the world rankings table and made our case for going to the Commonwealth Games in October unstoppable.

“I think we can count ourselves lucky not to lose the game when we look back and see how much of the possession India had, and the chances they created. In saying so, hats off to our defensive unit for keeping India to just one goal in the second half.

“Today’s match, like many others at the tournament was full of turning points, many of which revolved around the video referral system. The major discussion point at the after-match press conference was our decision to refer the Indian’s ‘third’ goal. We appealed that the ball had struck an Indian player’s body in their defensive circle, which should have resulted in a penalty corner being awarded to us. It wasn’t however until after India had scored at the other end that umpires would listen to my appeal.

“As the system is still being trialled, it isn’t perfect. I think, and most would agree that we all want the correct decision to be made. If we can use technology to help achieve that goal (within a reasonable time frame) then the more the better I say.”
South Africa now have a few days to gather themselves before they pay New Zealand or Argentina in the ninth-10th place play-off.