There was a period when the metro’s residents and federations could submit their nominations.
Due to the overwhelming support from the public, a difficult situation was created for the adjudication panel to select three finalists per category and, ultimately, the winners.
Brakpan was represented by two nominees, Peet Aucamp and Ryan Phillips.
Aucamp was nominated in the outstanding sport official/administrator category for his involvement in ringball.
He excelled as an administrator and official during the nomination period.
He represented South Africa as a referee at the International Ringball Federation Championships, on Mauritius, during December 2013, and was also awarded South African colours as coach of the national u-23 men’s team.
He is the current vice-chairman of the Central Gauteng East Ringball Union and serves as treasurer for the Ekurhuleni Sport Council.
The highlight of the evening, however, was the announcement of the Sportsman of the Year award which has, in previous years, seen many outstanding sportsmen scoop the coveted award.
Brakpan resident and kick boxer Ryan Phillips held off stiff competition from his two fellow nominees (golfer Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Ju-Jitsu practitioner Gaston Palmer, both from Benoni) to claim the award.
Phillips, of Xtreme Kickboxing Technologies (XKT), which is based at the Brakpan Indoor Sports Centre, represented South Africa at the World Combat Games, in St Petersburg, Russia, during October, last year, when he obtained a bronze medal in the points fighting competition.
He also won the gold medal in points fighting in a tournament against Canada and New Zeeland, and is the current South African Champion in two fighting modes.
On receiving his award from member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for sports, recreation and arts and culture Zeni Tshongweni, Phillips thanked his family for their unwavering support and praised his coach, father and mentor, Raymond, for everything that he has done to help him become a better kick boxer.
