By Palesa Mofoti
Skaters from across 12 countries, including South Africa, won big as they walked away with cash prizes ranging between R500 and R50 000 during the recent Diamond and Dorings Kimberley Diamond Cup on Saturday, 6 December.
The two-day event brought Kimberley to life as tourists flocked to the Skate Plaza to participate and support their own during the Skateboarding Championship.
Fans were spoiled to a day filled with children’s activities, surrounded by food stalls from local entrepreneurs, and a concert featuring top artists like Emtee, Areeze, Early B, Meneer Cee, and Lucas Rap, among others.
The event was previously known as Kimberley Diamond Cup, and was hosted for the first time under the new brand.
The 2024/25 event saw extreme sports enthusiasts battling it out for a whooping R300 000 worth of prize money, which has increased from R200 000 in the previous years.
The bold leap saw both male and female competitors for the first time win an equal distribution of the prize money, benefitting over twenty male and female skaters.
A 16-year-old skater from Thailand, Orapong ‘Ora’ Tongkong, walked away with a whopping R70 000 in winnings. R50 000 was for the female Open category, while R20 000 was for the Best trick.
Kimberley’s own Olympiad Boipelo Awuah walked away with second place, pocketing R30 000 in cash.
In the Men’s Open, Jeff DeChesare from the USA emerged as the winner and the best trick category worth R70 000, while Khule Ngobane from KZN came second, winning R30 000.
KDC once again reaffirmed its growing global footprint through participation from America, England, Thailand, Austria, Portugal, Thailand, and African countries, Lesotho, Mozambique, Madagascar, Swaziland, and our own country.
Skateboarding fanatics were seated on the shadeless stands and were not deterred by the scorching Kimberly sun, transforming the skate plaza atmosphere into a vibrant venue.
For the first time this year, the event introduced another high-adrenaline activity, the Motocross FMX Showcase, which complements skateboarding and expands the extreme sports ecosystem in the Province.
The motocross team from Johannesburg showcased their daring and high energy action stunts, performing backflips, superman, and no lander stunts for the entertainment of the crowd 75ft:23meters, from the take-off ramp to the landing.
Tongkong (R20 000) noted with great excitement how excited she is to be in South Africa
“It is more than the skating competition, and more about being with my African skaters,” she added, saying she’s grateful to KDC.
She has been a skater since the age of 12 and has represented her country at the 2022 Asian Games.
Awaung expressed gratitude at being a part of the Diamonds and Dorings KDC, “It’s a stepping stone to show South African female skaters what’s possible and what they can achieve with the sport. Hosting international skaters and showing them where I am from has been fun. They know the struggles we have as local skaters.”
Awuang is also the founder of the 053 skateboarding for girls programme. They practice at the skate plaza every Wednesday and Friday from 4pm to 6pm.
The third place in the Women’s Open went to Madalena Galante from Portugal (R15 000), while Thabiso won R8 000 for fourth place and Choccy R5000 in fifth place.
In the Men’s open, Alex Decunha from the United Kingdom came third, Ethan in fourth position, and Noel Cossa in fifth position.
The under-16 Boys winners are Mohau Nathisi (R20,000), Garth Philander (R10,000), Luyanda Vukasi(R7000), Austin (R3,500), and Kelly Maroos(R2000).
The under 16 girls’ winners are Karina Naldrett (R20,000), Nacho (R10,000), Alba Lingeveldt (7000), Suhailah Cunningham (R3,500), and Georgia Carpenter(R2000).
MEC for Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism Vinus Blennis-Magabe lauded the event as one of the most powerful visibility generators, which garnered extensive digital coverage on national and regional broadcasts, with the highest social media engagements.
“It has collectively generated over 1.1 million views and reached more than 30 million viewers worldwide. This is exposure, and not only celebrates our athletes but positions Kimberley as a home of action and extreme sports in Africa,” said Blennies-Magage.
“It shapes global perceptions, drives tourism curiosity, and opens doors for further investment and partnership,” added the MEC.
Comments are closed.