30th Commonwealth Sports Awards.
After shocking the world by winning gold in the men's javelin at the London 2012 Olympics, Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott was in for another surprise as he won the Outstanding Young Achiever Award at the 30th Commonwealth Sports Awards, held on Saturday at Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.
The Commonwealth Sports Awards function was part of T&T's 50th Anniversary celebrations. Jamaica is also celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2012.
At the launch of the event, in July, founder Al Hamilton said one of the reasons the Commonwealth Awards was conceived back in 1980 was "to look at the legacy that we have".
On Saturday, Walcott said he was shocked to have won the Young Achiever Award, ahead of fellow nominees, Singapore swimmer Joseph Isaac Schooling and England diver Tom Daley.
"This was a bit shocking. It is really an honour to receive yet another award. I am just really appreciative at the moment. I was glad to be chosen as a nominee for the award."
Though he won Olympic gold this year, Walcott's nomination was based on his performances before the London Games.
The awardees were drawn from nominations from the 71 Commonwealth Games Federations for the period July 2011 to June 2012.
Before throwing 84.58 metres in London, Walcott won gold medals at Carifta Games, the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Championships and the World Junior Championships.
After dominating at the junior (under-20) level, Walcott says he is now focused on doing the same among the seniors as he gears up for next year's World Championships in Moscow, Russia.
"I have just started (training) Monday gone. I have started doing basic fitness, running. This year coming is for the World Championships. This is my first World Championships and I am a little bit excited.
About his training regime, Walcott said: "It is same. Everything has been working so far."
Another Caribbean athlete, Grenada's Kirani James copped the Outstanding Male Athlete award, while Jamaica's Alphanso Cunningham won the Outstanding Male Athlete with Disability award.
England swimmer Eleanor Simmonds won the Outstanding Female Athlete with Disability award.
Also nominated for the Outstanding Male Athlete award were Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake and England long distance runner Mohammed Farah.
The Outstanding Female Athlete award was won by Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot. Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown and Australia's Sally Pearson were also nominated for the accolade.
Jamaica's Michael Fennell won the Sports Administrator of the Year award, ahead of fellow nominees Jon Doig of Scotland and Thomas Dorsett of Dominica.
Also honoured on the night were Jamaica's Merlene Ottey and Don Quarrie and T&T's Hasely Crawford and Dr Iva Gloudon. They were recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards.
By Roger Seepersad
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com