My favourite sport stories of 2018 – sports editor

Nicholas Zaal, sports editor at Caxton Greater Joburg North writes:

I have the awesome job of attending the community’s local sports events.

Included in this is covering sports news and achievements of local residents, schools, clubs and universities.

While it is a busy job, it is a fulfilling one nonetheless, and I feel like my work benefits those I report about.

On a typical weekend you will find me at your local sportsfield, swimming pool, stables or boxing ring with my camera lens in somebody’s face (when it’s rugby or there is water involved I try to keep my camera at a distance and use a longer lens).

This year has been one of growth for me as a journalist. I have covered kickboxing, underwater hockey, disc golf and loads more sports that before were quite new to me.

But there was a handful that stood out for more than just the physical nature of the game.

First competitive women’s rugby match between Pirates and Wanderers

Pirates and Wanderers rugby clubs, despite each being about 130 years old, played their first competitive women’s rugby matches against each other on 5 May. Friends, families and some of the clubs’ men’s players came to show their support and formed a tunnel for the women as they ran onto the field in Illovo. The Wanderers players carried balloons and just before the whistle blew, marked the historic occasion by releasing them into the sky. Pirates went on to record a 21–0 win in the Jozi Women’s Rugby League game, but it was the sport itself that was the true winner.

Read: Wanderers and Pirates play in their first competitive women’s rugby match

Jozi Urban Run Adventure

The Hollard Jozi Urban Run Adventure (Jura) is always a blast. The route goes from Marks Park Sports Club, Emmarentia, through parks, rivers, the green belt and even across a bridge over Emmarentia Dam, which was built specifically for the event. All along the route are natural, inflatable and concrete obstacles, such as a reed tunnel, duck tunnel, a rope climb, and many more.

This event lets residents see parts of the city that are not necessarily far from where they live but are hard to access. All this while exercising. I love covering this run each year as it is loads of fun and provides unique photo opportunities.

Read: Runners see the unseen sights of Joburg at the Jozi Urban Run Adventure

A great boxing fight

There were two excellent boxing fights I witnessed on the same night. Sikho Nqothole of Alan Toweel Boxing Gym in Linden won with a first-round knockout against Muziwenkosi Ndwandwe. The fight was short and fierce, with Nqothole entertaining the crowd thoroughly with his brilliant punching.

The main fight of the night at Blairgowrie Recreation Centre on 2 September, was between the same Linden gym’s Akani ‘Prime’ Phuzi and Youssof Mwanza of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The fight was for the vacant World Boxing Association pan-African cruiserweight title and it went the whole 12 rounds. The technique and movement demonstrated by both boxers were brilliant, but in the end Phuzi had outlasted his opponent and scored some serious hits in the final rounds to secure a win on points.

Read: Linden’s Akani Phuzi becomes pan-African cruiserweight champion after fight in Blairgowrie

Athletics in Randburg

I was excited to hear an athletics group had moved to the Randburg Sports Complex and within a week or two after their big launch there were young athletes doing short and long distance running, sprints, high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin and hurdles. I watch the odd IAAF event on TV but enjoy live athletics more. I am looking forward to coming to more athletics practices and events at I Have Talent.

Read: I Have Talent bags gold medals at Central Gauteng Athletics event