Paralympian and Stellenbosch University (SU) athlete Simoné Kruger received top honours at the South African Sports Awards.
The 21-year-old field para-athlete won the Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability award at the 19th edition of the glitzy event, presented by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture at the Sun City Superbowl on Saturday 19 August.
The other nominees for the award were sprinter Sheryl James and tennis star Kgothatso Montjane.
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Adding to her collection
This award will shine brightly on Kruger’s mantel alongside the Brand South Africa Para Sport Star of the Year award she received at the 2026 gsport Awards on Saturday 8 August, along with the two trophies she clinched at last year’s SA Sports Awards for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability and Junior Sport Star of the Year.
It was especially her achievements at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Dehli, India, that set the talented discus and shot-put athlete apart. During the meet, Kruger successfully defended her F38 discus world title.
The BSc Sport Science student is also a celebrated member of the SU community, having been named the SU Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability for three consecutive years.
“Born with cerebral palsy following a prenatal stroke, Kruger has overcome significant physical challenges to become a world champion – learning to throw the discus left-handed despite hemiplegia affecting the right side of her body,” a social media post from SU declared.
‘Crowned in Greatness’
Maties Sport also congratulated Kruger on her national honour. “A huge congratulations to our very own Simoné Kruger on being crowned Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability at the South African Sport Awards,” a post on Facebook read.
“Simoné’s incredible talent, dedication and unwavering commitment continues to inspire. We are incredibly proud of you!”
The national awards looked back on 19 years of celebrating sporting excellence, unity and national pride. Under the theme “Crowned in Greatness” the evening honoured athletes who built the country’s sporting history and celebrated the new generation.
The Sport Star of the Year award went to Olympic sprinter Akani Simbine and the Protea men’s test cricket team won the coveted Team of the Year prize.
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