Two Midvaal boxing figures have earned major recognition at the GSport Awards, with Colleen McAusland named Telkom Woman of the Year and professional boxer Simangele “Smash” Hadebe receiving the Africa Women in Sport award.
The awards, presented at Wanderers Cricket Club, put Midvaal’s women in boxing firmly in the spotlight during Women’s Month.
For Hadebe, the celebration comes just days before another major challenge. On August 22, she will step into the ring in Cape Town to fight for a WBF World Title.
Her award recognises her achievements in the sport, while McAusland’s honour acknowledges her years of dedication to boxing, managing and supporting fighters and creating opportunities for women in the sport.
McAusland said the double recognition represents something bigger than their individual achievements.
“It is about every woman who has stepped into a boxing gym, every young girl who dreams of becoming a champion, and every person who has supported women in our sport. We are incredibly proud to do it for Midvaal,” she said.
Together, McAusland and Hadebe represent both sides of the ropes – one helping develop and support fighters, the other competing at the highest level.
Their achievements also highlight the growing role of women in a sport traditionally dominated by men and give young girls in Midvaal sporting role models close to home.
Attention now turns to Cape Town on August 22, where Hadebe will have the opportunity to turn an already memorable Women’s Month into an even bigger celebration for Midvaal by bringing home a world title.
