Making Champions: How South Africa's sporting heroes are made

Making Champions by Michael Jenkins is a journey into the histories, hearts and homes of some of South Africa’s greatest sporting heroes. Featuring 14 icons of our time, including AB de Villiers, Ryan Sandes, ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Francois Hougaard, Bridgitte Hartley and Siyabonga Nomvethe. Making Champions explores the vastly varied journeys that have taken each of these stars to the very top of their game.

 

The real story of sporting success is often far more ordinary than we imagine. Every athlete featured in Making Champions was born with natural talent, but each individual has had to work and hone that talent in order to be the best.

 

Making Champions is about getting to know our national heroes better, and sharing the moments that have moved them, shaped them and defined them. It’s also about equipping and inspiring all South Africans to be champions in their own right, by shining a spotlight on the big difference-making factors that shaped these stories and can guide our own.

 

Read an extract from Making Champions by Michael Jenkins.