Olympic gold medalist Chad le Clos was crowned Sports Star of the Year at the SA Sports Awards in Johannesburg on Sunday night.
The 20-year-old clinched the top accolade ahead of last year's winner, cricketer Hashim Amla, swimmers Natalie du Toit and Cameron van der Burgh, athletes Caster Semenya and Oscar Pistorius, Bafana Bafana striker Siyabonga Nomvete and Protea wicket-taker Vernon Philander.
Le Clos became an overnight sensation when he beat Michael Phelps by a whisker for the gold medal in the 200m butterfly at the 2012 London Olympics. He went on to win silver in the 100m butterfly behind Phelps.
Philander claimed the Sportsman of the Year trophy following a prolific debut Test season where he became the second fastest man to take 50 wickets in the history of cricket.
Rowing SA was one of the big winners on the evening as they scooped three awards with president Wimpie du Plessis named Administrator of the Year and the sporting code taking the Federation of the Year award.
The Olympic gold medal winning South African men's coxless lightweight fours rowing team of Sizwe Ndlovu, Matthew Britain, John Smith and James Thompson walked away with the Team of the Year award.
