ZIMBABWE number one golfer Brendon De Jonge was the biggest winner at the Annual National Sports Awards ceremony held in the capital last night after he scooped the coveted Sportsperson of the Year and the Sportsman of the Year awards. REPORT BY HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
De Jonge took over from swimming icon Kirsty Coventry. However, Coventry still managed to grace the podium after she was named Sportswoman of the Year.
Rower Frazer Mackenzie, who made his debut appearance at the Olympics in London this year, was crowned Junior Sportsperson and Junior Sportsman of the Year, while Laurelle Brown scooped the Junior Sportswoman of the Year. She won a gold medal at the African Triathlon Championships in Mauritius early this year.
The national Rugby Sevens side was named the Team of the Year, although many expected the crown to go to the national rugby side, the Sables, who won the Car Africa Cup on their way to topping the rankings in Africa. Sevens coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba was named Coach of the Year.
However, the biggest winner of the night was De Jonge, who unfortunately did not attend the function as he is currently on tour.
His campaign was particularly productive with three straight top-four finishes including the unofficial CIMB Classic in Malaysia. Included in that run was a career-best solo second at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open where De Jonge opened with a 62.
2012 Annual National Sports Awards
Sportsperson of the Year Brendon De Jonge (Golf)
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Junior Sportsperson
Mackenzie James Fraser (Rowing)
Junior Sportswoman of the Year
Gold — Brown Laurelle (Triathlon)
Silver — Davidson Skye (Triathlon)
Bronze — Donaldson Tyla-Shae (BMX)
Junior Sportsman of the Year
Gold — James Fraser Mackenzie (Rowing)
Silver — Bhebhe Dumisani (Athletics)
Bronze — Nicholas Burnett (Swimming)
Junior Sportswoman of the Year With a Disability
Gold — Gary Vundla (Wheelchair Tennis)
Silver — Panashe Kabwabwa (Athletics)
Bronze — Laina Sithole (Athletics)
Junior Sportsman of the Year With a Disability
Gold — Shepherd Banga (Wheelchair Tennis)
Silver — Munyaradzi Musariri (Golf)
Bronze — Mehta Veren (Golf)
Sportswoman of the Year
Gold — Kirsty Coventry (Swimming)
Silver — Thorneycroft Micheen (Rowing)
Bronze — Tawengwa Sharon (Athletics)
Sportsman of the Year
Gold — Brendon De Jonge (Golf)
Silver — Cuthbert Nyasango (Athletics)
Bronze — Rodwell Makoto (Chess)
Sportswoman of the Year With a Disability
Gold — Margret Bangajena (Wheelchair Racing)
Silver — Madzivire Magdalene (Wheelchair Racing)
Bronze — Hwatira Dorcas (Wheelchair Racing)
Sportsman of the Year With a Disability
Gold — Nyasha Mharakurwa (Wheelchair Tennis)
Silver — Edmund Makutya (Wheel chair Racing)
Bronze — Elford Moyo (Wheelchair Racing)
Team of the year
Winner — Zimbabwe Rugby Sevens
First runner-up — Rugby National Team (Sables)
Second runner-up — Zimbabwe Ladies Golf team (A Team)
Coach of the Year
Gold — Gilbert Nyamutsamba (Rugby Sevens)
Silver — Rachel Davis (Rowing)
Bronze — Catherine Ann Riley (Ladies’ Golf)
Technical Official of the Year
Gold— Rick Fulton (Triathlon)
Silver — Shuva Forbes (Basketball)
Bronze — Mutemera Norman (Football)
Sports Administration of the Year
Winner — Zimbabwe Rugby Union
First runner-up — Zimbabwe Shooting Sports Federation
Second runner-up — Horse Society of Zimbabwe
Sport Development of the Year
Winner — Zimbabwe Handball Federation
First runner-up — Zimbabwe Volleyball Association
Second runner-up — Zimbabwe Rugby Union
Women in Sport Award
Ginny Ross — Hockey
Special Acknowledgement Award
Matan Holdings — Manicaland Province
