Sporting highlights that made 2022 a victorious year
Sportsmen and sportswomen in South Durban have excelled in so many avenues this past year. Read about the highlights and amazing achievements.
SOUTH Durban sportsmen and women have raked in numerous accolades, and while some made it to the top 10 list in world rankings, others have flown the country’s flag high by competing in the national and international sports arena.
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Here are the top 5 achievements worth celebrating this year:
- The Bluff para surfer claims her spot as third best in the world
IT WAS no surprise when sporty go-getter Tracy Lee McKay was selected to head to the World Para Surfing Championships at Prismo Beach in California with the South African Para Surfing team.
The 52-year-old The Bluff resident, who superseded her expectations when she competed in para surfing for the first time in May 2019, which led her to be selected to compete at the world championships for the 2020 SA Para Team, made waves as she competed against the world’s best surfers for the third time, this year, and was placed third in the world rankings. In 2020, Tracy represented SA at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships and scooped second place, winning herself a silver medal and earning her a number two spot in the world ranking for para surfing.
- Dreams come true for bowler
PRO bowler Wayne Neville Rittmuller competed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August. The Bluff resident represented South Africa at lawn bowls when he competed against the world’s best bowlers at the Royal Leamington Spa Bowling Club.
The 40-year-old stellar bowler, who started playing bowls when he was just 12 years old, said he felt the jitters and was nervous at the start but quickly regained his composure and battled it out for the win.
Highlights of his journey as a bowler include making his debut for South Africa at the 2017 African States Tournament, where he achieved three gold medals and was named player of the tournament. He went on to bag three national titles, as well as additional gold and silver medals for South Africa.
- The Bluff surfer scoops second place at national championship
THE BLUFF pro surfer and surf instructor, Scott Venter, scooped second place at the South African National Surfing Championships hosted by Tidy Towns in August. Scott said he was proud to have competed in the event, which he says most surfers believe will go down in history as the most successful master’s national championship ever held.
Even though he had high hopes of bringing home the title of South African National Champion, Scott, who was signed as a professional surfer when he was just 14 years old, was pleased to have been placed second in his division.
- Lady Quins women’s rugby team play their first match
LADY Quins, a new division of Harlequins Rugby, provided women with skills in rugby with a platform to compete. After competing in their first tournament, the Ronnie van Rooyen Memorial Day two-day tournament in March, the Lady Quins were invited to play in Pretoria, this year.
- Surf-casting team competes in world games
THE South African Protea Ladies Surf Casting Team competed at the FIPS-M World Games in Tunisia in November.
Competing against multiple countries for the World Cup, Theo Potgieter and coach Jace Govender accompanied anglers, Riana Vermaak, Cornie van Greunen and Sachali Viljoen, to the 38th World Championship Shore Angling Seniors and 29th World Championship Shore Angling Ladies.
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