The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) celebrated excellent athletes and contributors at its annual awards ceremony held on the Hyatt Regency on Wrightson Highway, Port-of-Spain, on Friday evening.
Among the many high honorees have been Nicholas Paul and Michelle-Lee Ahye, who have been acknowledged as Sportsman and Sportswoman of the 12 months, respectively.
Paul, a Pan American gold medalist, was named the Sportsman of the 12 months for his distinctive performances all year long. He additionally acquired the “Individuals’s Alternative of the 12 months” award. Paul demonstrated his prowess at three main competitions, together with the 2023 Pan American Elite Observe Biking Championships, the place he secured two gold medals and one silver.
A medal contender for the upcoming Olympic Video games in Paris
His exceptional achievements continued on the UCI Tissot World Observe Biking Championships, the place he claimed silver within the males’s dash occasion, solidifying his standing as a medal contender for the upcoming Olympic Video games in Paris.
Ahye, a legendary Trinidadian sprinter, was as soon as once more named the Sportswoman of the 12 months. Regardless of dealing with challenges in the course of the season, Ahye clinched a bronze medal on the Pan American Video games and expressed optimism for the yr forward, specializing in the Olympics in Paris.
The titles of “Junior Sportswoman of the 12 months” and “Junior Sportsman of the 12 months” have been awarded to Sanaa Frederick and Nikoli Blackman, respectively. Frederick, an 18-year-old observe star, received bronze within the ladies’s 100m on the Commonwealth Youth Video games, leaving her mark on the observe. Blackman, unable to attend on account of college commitments, acquired recognition for his excellent achievements on the Commonwealth Youth Video games and the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships.
The “Sports activities Character of the 12 months” accolade was introduced to the boys’s 3×3 basketball staff consisting of dual brothers Ahkeel “Smally” and Ahkeem “Fatto” Boyd, Moriba De Freitas, and Chike Augustine. This staff secured a bronze medal on the Pan American Video games by defeating Venezuela.
Future is Feminine
Bicycle owner Alexi Costa-Ramirez was honored with the “Future is Feminine” award, recognizing her potential and contributions to the world of sports activities.
The featured speaker of the night was Teneil Campbell, a trailblazing Trinidad and Tobago bicycle owner who grew to become the primary black girl to compete on the Tour De France. In her emotional handle, Campbell shared her journey of resilience, having endured two severe accidents in 2023. She emphasised the significance of setting sensible targets and concluded her speech with an inspiring quote: “Your perspective will decide your altitude.”
Brian Lewis, the speedy previous president of the TTOC, was acknowledged for his efforts in advancing youth sports activities regionally, significantly in bringing the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Video games to Trinidad and Tobago. Swim coach Lorraine Bolan Van Druten acquired the Alexander B Chapman Award in recognition of her constant contributions to sports activities and Olympianism.
