It feels like she has been on the international sporting scene much longer than her 22 years of age, and yet the accolades keep rolling in for Jo-Ané van Dyk.

On Wednesday 16 October this superlative javelin thrower was named the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom’s Sportswoman of the Year. Her stellar year reached a peak with a throw of 55,38 m at the Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco which secured her a silver medal.

Sprinter Chederick van Wyk was named Sportsman of the Year for his part in breaking the South African 4 x 200 m relay record in Yokohoma, Japan where the South African team won silver. At the Africa Games in Rabat he also secured a silver with in the 4 x 100 m relay.  

Karate champion Carmen Cloete was named Junior Sportswoman and cross-country star Robert de Villiers was named Junior Sportsman of the Year.

Cornelle Leach walked away with the award for Disabled Sportswoman of the Year for her superlative exploits in the swimming pool. At the South African Championships she won three gold medals and one silver, at the South African Short Course Championships she won a gold, five silver and a bronze medal, while walking away with an astonishing eight gold medals at the CGA Winter Championships.

The award for Team of the Year went to the athletics team who, among others, again claimed the Varsity Athletics crown.

There were no shortage of coaches, teams and individuals who shone on the national and international stage for the NWU in 2019. It is a trend which is sure to continue.

 Meet the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom’s Sportswoman (Jo-Ané van Dyk) and Sportsman of the Year (Chederick van Wyk). With them is Prof Daryl Balia, deputy vice-chancellor of the campus. (Wouter Pienaar: Potchefstroom Herald)