Caleb Levitan shines at the Amayanga-Yanga Athlete of the Year award

The 11th annual Gauteng Sports Awards took place on February 18, and 12-year-old chess prodigy, Caleb Levitan, walked away with the Amayanga-Yanga Athlete of the Year award.

The Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation recognised and honoured the King David Primary School-Sandton sports star for his effort and passion for chess.

Caleb received the Amayanga-Yanga Athlete of the Year award, which is given to young athletes who have excelled in their respective sports and show great promise for the future.

“It is an honour to receive this award, and I hold the other nominees in high esteem; ultimately, I am happy that chess is being valued and recognised as a sport.”

He adds that not many people know the physical and mental stamina needed to play games for four or five hours at a time.

“I am proud to represent the sport and grateful to my parents, coaches, school, and the chess federation for helping me reach this point.”

This is not the first of Caleb’s noteworthy achievements in his field; in a career spanning six years to date, he has received his Junior Springbok colours and has represented South Africa at chess tournaments around the world.

He concludes by pointing out that he started playing chess when he was six years old, when his father taught him and his brother how to play.