Senior national sports awardees express pride, gratitude

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National and Windies cricketer Alzarri Joseph and bodybuilder Kimberly Ephraim have expressed gratefulness and pride after being crowned senior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.
The duo was crowned during the Vitamalt National Sports Awards held at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground on Sunday and were awarded $10,000 as the top prize.
Joseph, who left for Barbados on Monday where he will participate in a preparatory camp with the senior regional cricket team, said after he sized up the competition, he was not surprised at having won the accolade.
“When I saw the nominees I didn’t really see any other winners per se but I was just grateful to achieve such an award. The only word of advice [to young aspiring sportsmen and women] I could really give is to just work hard and don’t sell yourself short,” he said. 
The fast bowler was selected ahead of track & field’s Cejhae Greene for the top prize.
On the other hand, Ephraim, speaking in the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show on Monday, said she did not expect to win her category, and added that it would take some time before the excitement subsides.
“I was honoured to be nominated by my federation and be able to represent them but I did not expect it at all. I am proud to have won this award and I absolutely made myself an idiot on my interview last night [Sunday] because the words were just not there, and I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that before. I am excited to be able to have this award and wake up in the morning and see the trophy and feel like I have accomplished this,” she said.
The athlete, who won the bikini segment of the CAC Championships in 2016, already has plans for her win, stating she will use it to broaden her horizon where competition is concerned.
“I also feel like that is an option for me next year because I have I’ve made the growth that I was aiming for over the last few years. It’s hard to find a balance between staying, shredding and growing and if that is my feedback, growing, then I have to listen to what the judges are asking for,” Ephraim said. 
In the junior male category, tennis’ Aron Fields got the judges’ nod, while young and upcoming sprinting sensation, Joella Lloyd was adjudged the top female junior.
The sport of swimming also came in for some recognition from the judges with coach Nelson Molina Fojo and administrator Edith Clashing being named Coach and Official of the Year, respectively.
Domino’s Seymone Parks was named the Mind Sports Sportsperson of the Year with basketball’s Carlton Brodie receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. 
 
 

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