The 16th annual South African Sports Awards were revealed today, with three members of the swimming community earning top honors.
19-year-old Lara van Niekerk took home the Sportswoman of the Year trophy for her breakout performances last year.
Van Niekerk brought home bronze in the 50m breaststroke at the 2022 World Championships while also claiming 50m breast and 100m breast gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She wrapped up her year by securing 50m breast silver at the Short Course World Championships.
18-year-old Cal commit Pieter Coetze was recognized as South Africa’s Sportsman of the Year.
Coetze earned a medal of each color at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, wrangling up bronze in the 200m back, silver in the 50m back and gold in the 100m back in Birmingham.
Finally, Rocco Meiring earned Coach of the Year honors for his work at Tuks Swimming Club at the University of Pretoria. World Record holder Tatjana Schoenmaker and Coetze are among the swimmers under Meiring’s tutelage, which led him to also earn the Swammy Award for African Coach of the Year.
