At the beginning of 2023, the year dubbed “The Year of Women’s Sport”, many of us didn’t foresee how much of a groundbreaking year it would turn out to be. From the inaugural U19 Cricket World Cup, to the Women’s T20 World Cup, as well as the Netball World Cup that came to our shores. To all the individual athletes who went out to represent Mzansi exceptionally.
Three incredible athletes truly owned their success in their respective sporting codes: South Africa’s Wheelchair Tennis Ace Kgothatso Montjane, Gymnastics SA superstar Caitlin Rooskrantz as well as rising cricket sensation Madison Landsman.
The 2023 gsport Newsmaker of the Year award recipient Montjane has been in scintillating form this year claiming two Grand Slam titles after winning the French Open and the US Open Women’s Wheelchair Doubles. In the process the “KG Montjane” brand grew in terms of attracting big-name sponsors. She owes her success to the big “C word”.
“A key to success for me has just been consistency, to remain consistent really helped me to reach greater heights.”
Montjane has credited her team at Optimize Agency, led by 2023 gsport Awards Women in PR and Sponsorship winner Emy Casaletti Bwalya, for a stellar year as well as her forever-supportive mother. “My management team and sponsors, really had to pick me up when I was at my lows, not forgetting my mother pray for me.”
Rooskrantz delivered an outstanding performance at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, once again qualifying for one of the biggest events on the sporting calendar, the Olympics. It doesn’t end there, the first South African to qualify for the Olympics without a continental quota, was also influential in leading the country’s Gymnastics team to record a historic 19th place finish.
Photo: Caitlin Rooskrantz on Instagram
“The key to my success in 2023 was a lot of hard work coupled with a lot of trust in myself. After all the experience that I’ve gained so far in the sport and having done an Olympic Games and a Commonwealth Games, last year with many World Cups and a few World Champs. I’ve learnt over the years to start to trust myself a lot better and that has made my mental space going into any competition, no matter how high the expectation or pressure, a lot easier.”
Vice-Captain of the U19 Women’s Cricket team Landsman definitely tops the list for breakthrough athletes of the year. At the U19 Cricket World Cup in one of the year’s opening major events, Landsman made history and claimed the first hat-trick of the showpiece in Benoni in their Group D clash against Scotland.
Soon after, she was rewarded for her awe-inspiring performances and got a contract with the Lions. “Maintaining discipline even in times when it was hard to find motivation has to be the key thing that I’ve tried to live by in 2023.”
Despite her loss of her father, Landsman has been surrounded with a supportive family structure that has seen her through challenging times this year.
Photo: gsport
“My parents and my sister have been my rocks. My dad passed away in August but he always believed in me and stood by me until the end. My mom, sister and I have endured the hardest time of our lives so far, but they have still been so incredibly supportive through it all. The three of us have always been close but the last few months have pulled us closer than ever, we’re all always there for each other through thick and thin.”
As 2024 approaches, it’ll be a year to leverage on the foundation set in 2023. Montjane, Rooskrantz and Landsman shared some pearls of wisdom for athletes looking to boss 2024.
“Be proud of what you do, work hard and keep believing in yourself,” said Montjane.
Rooskrantz says athletes should stand tall and be proud of what they’ve achieved. “For me it was a bit of a struggle over the years to completely own my success. But I learned that, you don’t work so hard over the years for nothing, you know? It really is about the journey and all the valuable lessons you learn along the way.”
While the Emerging Athlete of the Year finalist, Landsman encourages everyone to fight to be the best, “Advice I’d give to other athletes would be to that you are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. If there’s something you want to achieve, no one can stand in your way but you. Nothing will beat the hardest worker in the room, so always strive to be that person and the rewards will come.”
Main Photo Caption: 2023 The Year of Women’s Sport has been historic. So many women in sport excelled beyond. gsport Newsmaker of the Year Kgothatso Montjane (in picture), exceptional gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz and cricket prodigy Madison Landsman reflect on the year they owned their success.
Photo 2 Caption: The “KG Montjane” brand experienced scintillating growth in 2023, and the Para Tennis star says she owes her success to the big “C word”. Photo: gsport
Photo 3 Caption: Caitlin Rooskrantz delivered an outstanding performance at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, once again qualifying for one of the biggest events on the sporting calendar, the Olympics. Photo: Caitlin Rooskrantz on Instagram
Photo 4 Caption: Vice-Captain of the U19 Women’s Cricket team Landsman definitely tops the list for breakthrough athletes of the year. At the U19 Cricket World Cup in one of the year’s opening major events, Landsman made history and claimed the first hat-trick of the showpiece in Benoni in their Group D clash against Scotland. Photo: gsport
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