Olympic champion Tatjana Smith bows out in style, scooping top honours at the SA Sports Awards after her Paris 2024 performance.
Sun City, South Africa (25 August 2025) – The 18th edition of the South African Sports Awards, themed “Celebrating Sporting Excellence”, truly lived up to its name on Sunday night at Sun City. No one embodied that spirit more than Tatjana Smith. The four-time Olympian capped off her remarkable swimming career by walking away with two of the evening’s biggest honours: Sportswoman of the Year and the overall Sports Star of the Year.
Tatjana’s wins were no surprise to anyone who followed her performances at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. In the pool, she delivered moments that will be remembered as some of South Africa’s finest Olympic highlights. Her determination and grace under pressure made her stand out on the world stage, bringing home medals that boosted the country’s tally.
The Paris Games were particularly special for Tatjana, who had already competed at three previous Olympics. By the time she dove into the water in Paris, she was not just a competitor, but a seasoned champion with the weight of a nation’s hopes resting on her shoulders. And she delivered in spectacular style, showing once again why she has long been regarded as South Africa’s “golden girl” of swimming.
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Retiring after such a high note might have seemed bittersweet, but Sunday night’s awards proved it was the perfect send-off. A year after her final Olympic lap, Tatjana’s achievements were not just remembered but celebrated on home soil in front of her peers and fans. The R500,000 cheque that accompanied her awards was a fitting recognition. We can all agree that the real prize was the acknowledgement of a career that inspired millions.
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The night also honoured other stars of South African sport, including cyclist Alan Hatherly as Sportsman of the Year, and para-athletes Simoné Kruger and Mpumelelo Mhlongo, who were recognised for their excellence. The 4x100m men’s relay team, fresh from their medal-winning run in Paris, scooped Team of the Year.
Still, it was Tatjana Smith’s night to shine. Her journey from promising youngster to Olympic champion. South Africans will carry her legacy in their hearts for years to come.
Sources: Facebook/ South African Government
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