By Samuel Peters
On a night when a large number of individuals were celebrated in their respective sporting disciplines, the Senior and Junior Sportsmen and Sportswomen of the past year were announced.
National Kiteboarder Tiger Tyson and Ambassador Kimberly Percival were awarded the prestigious titles in the Senior category, while sprinters Kasiya Daley and Lanica Locker were named the Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year.
Ambassador Percival who is a Professional IFBB Elite bodybuilder, had an amazing year in which she defended two of her titles in the Roger Boyce Classic in Barbados and the Diamond Cup in Prague. She was also successful in achieving podium finishes in Finland and returned to the top two battle for World Championships in the bikini fitness category. ‘
She is looking forward to continuing the amazing work and achievements from the previous year. “I am happy that I have been selected for the fourth term as Sportswoman of the Year; it means the world to me to not only represent the country and my sport, but I am looking forward to 2024 to just representing as best as I can, bringing the best, carrying my flag, carrying my sport,” she said.
Tyson became the first Antiguan to win a silver medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile which made way for his qualification to the Paris Olympics this year in France. A 15-year-old record during the RORC around the island was shattered last year in two hours and 38 minutes and the mark was decimated yet again by more than 20 minutes in February of 2024. He is currently away in Europe competing in several races as he prepares for the Olympics.
Observer media was able to interview his father, Mike Tyson, who was overjoyed at his son’s achievement. He said that as a father, he is extremely proud of what Tiger has achieved although it has been a long journey.
Fresh from securing another Championship for the Princess Margaret School is national sprinter Daley who has had an incredible 2023 calendar. He successfully claimed both gold medals in the 100 and 200 metre races at the NACAC Under 18 Championships in Costa Rica. He was also a finalist in the 100m race at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad.
Daley said that he is “hoping to make a big impact in the Under 20 category at the Carifta Games and at the World Juniors competing with the likes of Nigeria, Kenya and those other countries; just looking to have a good year!”
Locker, also a sprinter, turned heads by becoming the first female to medal at the Youth Commonwealth Games, placing third. She was also a member of the National contingent which participated in the Pan American Games in Chile where she qualified for the semifinal races.
Meanwhile, specially invited guest, Ambassador Asafa Powell made light jokes during his speech in which he encouraged the athletes to “Rise to Greatness”.
He told them that it was essential for them to work hard, make sacrifices, pursue their goals and not to listen to the negative views of those on the outside.
“You do not have to worry about having everything in place; just reach for your goals and believe in your community,” he advised the athletes.
He also encouraged the audience and thanked them for supporting and believing in the power of sports, to unite, inspire and uplift.
“Let us continue to rise toward greatness, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and leaving a legacy that will inspire generations to come,” Powell said.