Southern Mail’s sports stars shine bright in 2024
As we reflect on another action-packed year, Southern Mail's sports pages have been filled with remarkable stories of talent, hard work and dedication.
From amateur boxing to baseball, BMX racing to K1 combat sports, our coverage has highlighted the achievements of athletes striving for greatness and making a name for themselves.
Vibrant Sport, the Ottery-based gym, closed off the year in true championship style on November 3, showcasing the best of amateur boxing and introducing the thrill of K1 combat.
Their annual competition, culminating in a year-end event, crowned some of Cape Town’s finest amateur fighters while also adding a fresh layer of excitement with K1 action, another favourite for combat sports fans.
This year also saw a significant milestone in the world of mixed martial arts, as Faeez Jacobs recaptured his EFC gold back in September 12, reigniting the dreams of young martial artists who aspire to follow in his footsteps.
South Africa’s very own Dricus du Plessis made history by winning gold in the UFC, the pinnacle of MMA promotion, serving as a beacon for local fighters chasing the same global stage.
Another major highlight was the one-year anniversary of the Princess Vlei BMX track in November 16, a true testament to the determination of BMX riders in the area. Despite the challenges of limited resources and facilities, the Princess Vlei BMX Club has consistently excelled at national and international competitions. Their commitment to success, even before having their own fully operational track, is an inspiring story of hard work paying off.
Baseball also made waves this year, with Grassy Park Crusaders finding a comfortable home in the Cape Town Baseball Federation's Major League after stints in lower divisions. Their stay in the league brought much-needed competition to the area, alongside their neighbours Thirstle, further raising the profile of local baseball.
The growth of this sport was mirrored by young talents like Tagon Swartz and Cohan Bester, who represented the province at the national level back in February, showing that the future of baseball in Southern Mail's catchment area is in good hands.
In the world of football, Athlone Stadium hosted a memorable event, Football 4 Humanity, where Safa Cape Town welcomed the Palestine national team for a two-match exhibition in February. The series, played against the Western Cape XI and the SA Invitational team, was a testament to the power of sport in uniting communities, drawing large crowds from all over Cape Town.
Looking back on this year, Southern Mail's sports coverage has celebrated the success of local heroes and heroines, from the boxing ring to the baseball diamond, the BMX track to the MMA cage.
We’ve witnessed milestones, including the inspiring performances of Grassy Park siblings Irfaan Williams and his younger brother Rayaan who impressed at this year's Worlds Blackball Pool championships, in Bridlington, England, winning gold in the doubles final in October.
As we close the chapter on 2024, there’s no doubt that even greater achievements await our sports stars in the year ahead.