Last night, Tatjana Schoenmaker was rightfully crowned the Tuks Bestmed Sportswoman of the Year, solidifying her status as a South African swimming trailblazer.
She achieved this honor after a remarkable victory in the 200m-breaststroke at the World Aquatics World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, making her the first female swimmer to earn the title of world champion.
Since 2017, Schoenmaker has consistently medaled at major international events, showcasing her prowess in the pool. The UP-Tuks Alumni can proudly claim gold medals at the World Student Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympic Games, all in the 200m-breaststroke event.
However, Tatjana Schoenmaker’s impact goes beyond medal counts. In the Tuks swimming pool, she dedicates her afternoons to inspiring young talents to dream big and avoid the pitfalls she encountered in her journey.
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Christian de Klerk, the silver medalist in the compound archery competition at the World Student Games in Chengdu, was honored as the Tuks Bestmed Sportsman of the Year. He attributes his success to focusing on the finer details and achieving marginal gains.
De Klerk’s achievements in archery have not gone unnoticed. In November of the previous year, he secured three gold medals in compound archery competitions during the African Archery Championships held at the UP Sports Campus. His victories extended to men’s individual, men’s team, and mixed categories. Additionally, he clinched gold at the African Field Archery Champs and South Africa’s Indoor Compound Championships.
Marli Viljoen, the winner of the 400 meters at the World Student Games, claimed the title of Tuks Bestmed Student Sportswoman of the Year. On the other hand, Trevor de Lora, who demonstrated outstanding performance during the USSA Hockey Tournament, was bestowed with the title of Tuks Bestmed Student Sportsman of the Year.
Ilze Wicksell, the coach behind Marli Viljoen’s success, received the honor of Tuks Bestmed Coach of the Year in Individual Sports. Meanwhile, Jenny van Dyk, known for her “Midas touch” coaching, was celebrated as the Tuks Bestmed Coach of the Year in Team Sports, backed by a track record of proven results.
In team accomplishments, UP-Tuks reigned supreme in the Varsity Netball Tournament, securing victories in nine consecutive games. Furthermore, Jenny van Dyk played a crucial role in helping Botswana win the Singapore Nations Cup. Notably, she was part of the coaching team that guided South Africa’s under-18 Fast Five team to a silver medal in Trinidad & Tobago.
At the Tuks Bestmed Awards, TuksNetball was acknowledged as the Club of the Year, while the prestigious Team of the Year title went to Tuks’s women’s football team. These honors mark a fantastic year for South African sports and the exceptional athletes and coaches who continue to make their mark on the world stage.
