Sam Muripo crowned 2017 Zimbabwe Sportsperson of the year

KARATEKA Samson Muripo was last night named the Zimbabwe Sportsperson of the Year joining an elite group of athletes to have won the accolade more than once.

Muripo, whose profile continues to grow, recently attained a fifth dan Karate Black Belt, which elevated him from a Sensei to a Master or Shihan in India.

He joins the ranks of legendary soccer star Peter Ndlovu, tennis ace Cara Black and boxer Charles Manyuchi to win the prestigious award more than once.

Prophet Walter Magaya was also honoured with a special acknowledgement award for assisting national teams.

Promising tennis player Mehluli Don Sibanda was named Junior Sportsperson of the Year while bodybuilder Hellen Sinclair was named Sportswoman of the Year, relegating Rutendo Nyahora, an athlete and fellow bodybuilder Selina Manuel to second and third places respectively.

Margaret Bangajena emerged as Sportswoman of the year with a disability while in second and third places were Thandiwe Ndlovu and Ratidzo Toma.

In the Sportsman of the Year with a disability category, wheelchair racing athlete Elford Moyo scooped first position, followed by Samson Muroyiwa also from wheelchair racing and third was Special Olympics golfer Michael Mudyanadzo.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Sevens squad won the Team of the Year award while the senior national cricket team came second and the rowing duo of Kenneth Raynor and Keegan Smith were third.

The Coach of the Year accolade went to rugby gaffer Gilbert Nyamutsamba while Heath Streak and Kristine Johnson were runners-up.

2017 Annual national sport awards winners

Sportswoman of the Year

1. Helen Costa Sinclair (Bodybuilding)

2. Rutendo Nyahora (Athletics)

3. Selina Manuel (Bodybuilding)

Sportsman of the Year

1. Samson Muripo (Karate)

2. Brian Chiringa (Karate)

3. Nyasha Machaza (Golf)

Team of the Year

1. Zimbabwe Rugby Sevens

2. Zimbabwe Cricket Team

3. Kenneth Raynor & Keegan Smith (Rowing)

Coach of the Year

1. Gilbert Nyamutsamba (Rugby)

2. Heath Hilton Streak (Cricket)

3. Kristine Johnson (Rowing)

Junior Sportswoman of the Year

1. Tanyaradzwa Muzinda (Motocross)

2. Holly Bicknell (Rowing)

3. Emily Tariro Jones (Golf)

Junior Sportsman of the Year

1. Mehluli Don Sibanda (Tennis)

2. Chengetayi Mapaya (Athletics)

3. Terence Liam O’Hara (Swimming)

Junior Sportswoman of the Year with a disability

1. Siphosami Moyo (Athletics T11)

2. Pelagia Chidhakwa (Athletics IC)

3. Elizabeth Matupe (Athletics T12)

Junior Sportsman of the Year with a disability

1. Edmore Solomon (Athletics T46)

2. Raymond Nyati (Athletics T11)

3. Munorwei Chakanyuka (Athletics T46)

Sportswoman of the Year with a disability

1. Margaret Bangajena (Wheelchair Racing)

2. Thandiwe Ndlovu (Wheelchair Racing)

3. Ratidzo Tomu (Wheelchair Racing)

Sportsman of the Year with a disability

1. Elford Moyo (Wheelchair Racing)

2. Samson Muroyiwa (Wheelchair Racing)

3. Michael Mudyanadzo (Golf Special Olympics)

Technical Official of the Year

1. Annie Joyce Muchenu (Basketball)

2. Patrick Mukondiwa (Boxing)

3. Agnes Chiroodza (Netball)

Sports Administration of the Year

1. Zimbabwe Aquatic Union

2. Zimbabwe Motorsport Federation

3. Rowing Association of Zimbabwe

Sports Development of the Year

1. Zimbabwe Karate Union

2. Zimbabwe Ladies Golf

3. Equestrian Zimbabwe

Women and Sports Award

1. Lorna Margaret Riley (Swimming)

2. Leticia Chipandu (Netball)

3. Rosemary Mugadza (Women’s Football)

Special Acknowledgement award

1. Prophet Walter Magaya

2. ZBC

3. Mashonaland West Province

Good Governance Acknowledgement

Rowing Association of Zimbabwe

Triathlon Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Archery Association

Zimbabwe Equestrian Federation

Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union

Zimbabwe Karate Union

Zimbabwe Motor Sports Federation

Zimbabwe Olympic Committee

Zimbabwe Aquatic Union