LIMPOPO – Provincial athletes put in a massive shift throughout the year. The year 2021 was another tough one for sporting events around the globe as the industry continues to take shots because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, as tough as the year was, there were also a few moments sports fans could raise their voices and cheer for their favourites. As the year draws to a close and the finish line is in sight, we take a look back at some of the achievements of our Limpopo-born athletes.

Evidence Makgopa

Makgopa, who plays for Baroka Football Club, was part of the South African u/23 football team that competed at the Tokyo Olympics. The Sekhukhune-born striker won the Premier Soccer League Young Player of the Year Award in May and has more than 10 caps for the South African national team.

Also read: Baroka FC players in the South African Olympics squad

Kgothatso Montjane

Montjane hails from Seshego and had a terrific tennis season. She achieved what many tennis players can dream off. She was recently bestowed with the Gauteng’s Disabled Sportswoman of the Year accolade at the Gauteng Sport Awards held at Gallagher Convention. Montjane also participated in major tennis grand slams this year and became the first African woman and first black South African to play in a Wimbledon final. She is ranked fifth globally and number one in Africa and participated in this year’s Paralympics which were held in Tokyo.

Also read: Polokwane wheelchair tennis ace KG secures spot in Wimbledon finals

Sheryl James

Limpopo born para-athlete James won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. She crossed the finish line of the 400m T37 in a time of 1:03.82. James took up track athletics at the age of 32 when she joined IsAbility and was encouraged to start sprint training by club founder Johan Snyders. She was born with cerebral palsy due to a lack of oxygen at birth and suffers from hemiplegia with impaired muscle functionality on the right side of her body. 

Read more: Paralympics bronze medallist Sheryl James receives hero’s welcome

Rumandi Potgieter

Rumandi Potgieter, who switched from netball to rugby, won the African Sevens Championship with the Univerisity of Pretoria. Their win meant they have qualified to take part in next year’s  FASU Championship which will be played in Russia. Potgieter also excelled in the 15s code and was chosen for the Springbok women’s team. She accompanied the team on their end of year tour and played in the match against the Barbarians at Twickenham, which had a world record crowd of 29 000 spectators for a women’s match.

Read more: Rumandi Potgieter spog met Protea-kleure vir netbal

Rhoda Mulaudzi

Another athlete who performed exceptionally well this year was Rhoda Mulaudzi who won the Confederation of African Football Women’s Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns in November. Mulaudzi, who was born in Venda, had short stints with Belarusian football club FC Dinamo Minsk and Australian outfit Canbera United before she joined Sundowns. She has nine caps for Banyana Banyana.

Read more: Girls, don’t be afraid to dream, says top soccer player

Nadine Roos

Roos was part of the CrossFit Eikestad Mighty Oaks team who in May qualified to take part in the CrossFit Games in July. She also made her debut for the Springbok women’s 15s team against France in the November series. This was her first year as part of the 15s code as she previously excelled in the sevens format of the game.

Read more: Nadine Roos speel toprugby vir nasionale sewesspan

Department of Sport spokesperson Lucky Tshilimandila said they are proud of these athletes’ achievements despite difficult conditions. “Most of them performed under difficult conditions posed by the pandemic but they succeeded. They withered the storm and showed that if one is determined and dedicated, they can play anywhere in the world and still achieve greatness. We wish them all the best in their various competitions next year.”