As we bid farewell to 2024, we look back at some of the movers and shakers that helped to make the year memorable. Pictured are some of the sportsmen and women, young and old, who made headlines in the Echo over the last 12 months.
Muizenberg’s Paul Sampson on his way to winning the Cape Town Surf Pro, at Long Beach, in March. Picture: Kody McGregor/r/World Surf LeagueMasked fighter Avuyile “CJ” Lumkwana, from Masiphumelele, marked his debut with a four-round points’ victory in a junior bantamweight fight at Vibrant Sports Studios, in Ottery, in June.Fish Hoek’s Rupert Good, 11, a member of the WP Boys’ under-13 squash team that won gold at the the SA inter-provincial tournament in Gqeberha, in July remained unbeaten during the competition.Fish Hoek Primary School cross-country runners selected to take part at the Western Cape championships, in Somerset West, in August, are, from left, Eva Hanekom (girls’ under-10), Julie Burke (girls’ under-11) and Michael Burke (boys’ under-11).Masiphumelele strongman David Afonso lifts his SA championship belt at the WPC nationals that took place in Durban in August.Paul Greyling Primary School archers Duanè Botes, pictured here, and Flippie du Preez impressed in all Western Cape Archery competitions this year. Duanè won a gold medal as one of the top three female Grade 7 archers, a silver in 3D shooting, and a bronze for the top three primary school girls for 2024. She earned a medal or a trophy in every competition this year and secured her spot in the provincial team.From left are Akhanye “Sledge” Bokolo, Breyton Mentoor and Chadwin Layters, from Ocean View, were part of the Western Cape’s under-17 championship winning schools team that won a national championship in Durban, in July.Emily Jenkinson, from Kommetjie, played a tactical game in the premier under-16 girls’ division at the Rip Curl Gromsearch that took place at Witsands in February.Ruben Jansen, a gifted breakdancer and a promising member of the Lakeside-based Sea Cadet Corps, was shot and killed in Eerste River, in August.Promising soccer player, Luke Fleurs, who started out with Fish Hoek-based Ubuntu Football Academy, was killed during a hijacking in Johannesburg in April. Family, friends and fans of the star player, who at the time was signed to Kaizer Chiefs, were left devastated and searching for answers.It was a great year for Fish Hoek’ Ubuntu Football Academy as the class of 24 lived up to and exceeded all expectations, winning various tournaments. Here Ubuntu playmaker, Broderick Fredericks, looks to spread the ball during his side’s Coke Cup semi-final against Woodlands United.Southpaw Boxing Club professional boxer, Sikelela Xatasi, from Fish Hoek, right, pictured here with his trainer, Tyron Lloyd, made his return with a bang with a win against Luvuyo Mvula in Ottery, last December, followed by technical knockout wins against Sandiso Nhlapo and Loyiso Masala in April and June.Ocean View cyclists, all members of Fresh Start Cycling Club, impressed at Western Cape championships, in February. Jordan Newman, back row, fourth from left, achieved silver in the time trial and gold in the road race. Kendall Olivier, front row, third from left, won silver in the time trial and road race. Leena Delcarme, front row, second from left, gold for time trial and Lorenzo Lamb, first left, front row, winning bronze for the time trial.Kommetjie Primary School’s Emma Schermbrucker, 13, and her younger brother, Ethan, 10, represented WP Surfing CT Surfriders at the Interprovincial SA Longboarding Surf championships, in Jeffrey’s Bay in September.Fish Hoek-based Drakes Academy Level 5 Parkour traceurs, from left, Jesse Botha, Josh Smith and Pierre van Niekerk all represented Western Province at the SA Gym Games 2024, held at the Wynberg Military Base sports complex, in September.
