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Not all heroes wear capes — some dominate in sport. Here’s a look at 10 sporting moments where women have transformed the industry.
1/ Natalie du Toit
Think back to 2008. Beijing. In the Paralympics and Olympics, Natalie du Toit made history as the flag bearer for the South African Olympic and Paralympic teams. In fact, she won all five events she entered in the Paralympics. Natalie also won the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award, which is presented at every Paralympic Games to the swimmer who best exemplifies the spirit of the Games and inspires and excites the world.
2/ Caster Semenya
Caster was only 18 years old when she aced the 800m run, scooping a gold medal in the 2009 Berlin World Championships. The champion created a serious buzz as she set a record for the fastest time that year. Here amazing sporting moments haven’t stopped since then…
READ MORE: 6 Sportswomen Who Totally Changed The Game
3/ Serena Williams
Serena Williams – a.k.a GOAT (greatest of all time) – played against her twin sister Venus and won the Australian Open while eight weeks pregnant in 2017.
4/ Saray Khumalo
Saray was the first black African woman to conquer Mount Everest – the highest point in the world. She previously made an attempt to summit in May 2017, but was forced to turn back due to an injury. She went up again two years later and did it!
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5/ USA Soccer World Cup win
The USA women’s team dominated at the 2019 FIFA World Cup. The team used their victory to draw attention to equal pay and civil rights.
6/ Proteas Netball women’s team
The Proteas netball team played in their first World Cup in 24 years and made the country proud by winning a silver medal.
READ MORE: Meet SA’s Paralympian Star: Ilse Hayes
7/ Banyana Banyana
Banyana Banyana made their first World Cup appearance, playing Nigeria in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. They also qualified for the 2019 World Cup in France.
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We just a team on top of the World??❤️?
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8/ Chloe Garner
Chloe is a professional Long Drive Golf competitor from Somerset West in Cape Town. Never heard of Long Drive? It’s all about who hits the golf ball the furthest. Chloe recently claimed the championship title for scoring a 347-yard (317m) drive. One of those epic sporting moments.
READ MORE: Why Are SA’s Sportswomen Not Getting The Recognition They Deserve?
9/ Bridgitte Hartley
Three-time Olympian canoeist Bridgitte Hartley was the flag bearer at the 2019 Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco. Bridgette and Donna Hutton dominated in their 200m canoe race, scooping their second gold medal as a team.
10/ Naomi Osaka
Twenty-year-old Naomi Osaka played against her idol Serena Williams and won her first Grand Slam title at the US Open this year.
READ MORE ON: Fitness Real Women SA Women In Sport