Star Port Elizabeth athlete Luvo Manyonga was the biggest winner at the Eastern Cape Sport and Recreation Achievers Awards on Friday evening when he was crowned the sports star of the year at the Boardwalk hotel International Convention Centre in Summerstrand.
The long jumper also walked away with the sportsman of the year accolade while gymnast Bianca Zoonekynd won the sportswoman of the year award.
The Warriors cricket franchise were named sports team of the year.
Manyonga beat current WBO bantamweight champion and the former IBF junior bantamweight champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete, who was in the same category.
Manyonga, who was raised in Paarl but has been living in Port Elizabeth for nine months, said the awards served as a great welcome to the Eastern Cape.
“I feel honoured and recognised by my new province, the Eastern Cape.
“I am here to stay. This is the best province in the entire SA,” the 27-year-old said.
In 2018, Manyonga received gold medals for the men’s long jump at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia and at the IAAF Championships in London.
He also came second at the IAAF Championships in Birmingham, England and was presented with a silver medal.
He said this year’s competition was very tough.
“I came to the awards with confidence because I know I performed well this year,” Manyonga said.
“However, it was a very tight competition and I didn’t know how the awards would go. I am quite happy to have gone against the best in boxing in SA at large.
“He [Tete] is also one of the best boxers in the world. I was very nervous when they called out the nominees.
“I thought maybe I am not going to get this one, but God is always there for everyone who works hard.”
Manyonga said he had only two more events to prepare for before closing off his season.
“I will be taking part in the final Diamond League in Zurich and World Challenge in Zagreb to end off my season.”