BLOEMFONTEIN: The Free State Sport Association for the Physically Disabled and Visually Impaired (FSSAPD) recently held its annual prize giving ceremony at the Martie du Plessis School.
It was no suprise that Louzanne Coetzee won the FSSAPD’s sport star of the year award at this event hosted on 2 August, with her participation in the 2024 Paralympic Games, where she received a bronze medal in the 1 500m and finished seventh in the marathon.
She also competed in the London Marathon and ran a personal best in the 21km at the South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled (SASAPD) National Championships in Gqeberha at the end of March. She is now preparing to run the Berlin Marathon in September.
The junior female sport star of the year is Valerie Cooper, a para-cyclist of Martie du Plessis who took part in the national championships earlier this year and missed beating the records in the 1 500m and 800m events by a few seconds. She won four gold medals in a strong field.
Cristiano Nieman was named the junior male sport star of the year for his participation in para-cycling. This Martie du Plessis learner won four gold medals at the nationals and bested two South African records in the 100m and 3 000m track events.
Arina Nicolaison is the senior female sport star. At the national athletics championship she set a record in the 800m.
The senior male sport star is Mojalefa Majake, for winning two gold medals in para-cycling at the nationals, in the 10km trail and the 20km road race.
The Free State cycling team won the team of the year title.
David Landry was named coach of the year for inspiring his goalball team to win bronze at nationals.
Some other awards for administrators were also handed out. Joseph Nkghale (CP Soccer) received an award for mentor of the year, while Mari Labuschagne (para-cycling) was named administrator of the year.
Alfred Thena was named most valued contributer.
Roselia Moteka of the Tswellang Special School was made an honorary life member.
Those who participated South Africa abroad are Ernesta Strydom of Martie du Plessis, in para-athletics; Marisa Potgieter, in boccia, also of Martie du Plessis; and Coetzee, of the University of the Free State (UFS).
