National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAA) Male Athlete of the Year Rondell Sorillo said he was surprised to be recognised ahead of double Olympic gold medallist Richard Thompson for the Association’s top award during its Annual Awards Function and Induction Ceremony at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Port-of-Spain on Sunday night. Thompson set a new T&T record in the Men’s 100m (9.85) during the Sagicor National Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in August and had been tipped to collect the award. However, it was presented to the 25-year-old Sorillo, who placed seventh in the 200m finals at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Korea in September and set a meet record in the event (20.16) during the Sagicor National Championships a month earlier. It was the third fastest 200m time by a T&T athlete. Speaking after the ceremony, the modest Sorillo said he was surprised to be chosen for the main award. “I really wasn’t expecting this,” he said. “I’m at a loss for words.”
He added that his major goals for 2012 would include breaking the 20-second barrier in the 200m as well as medalling at the London Olympics in August. Fellow sprinter Kelly Ann Baptiste picked up the award for Female Athlete of the Year while the association inducted former administrator and athlete Rawle Raphael into its Hall of Fame. Baptiste’s win marked her third major honour within the last fortnight, having also collected the corresponding awards at the T&T Olympic Committee and Ministry of Sport’s respective ceremonies. Her 2011 included winning a 100m bronze at the World Championships in 10.98 seconds to become the first local female sprinter to capture a medal at a senior global meet. Other awards went to brothers Kershorn and Elton Walcott, who shared the prize for Male Junior Athlete of the Year, Michelle-Lee Ahye (Female Junior) and Richard Jones (Male Road Runner).
By Nicholas Clarke
Source: www.guardian.co.tt