Tokyo 2020 Olympians have headlined the end of year accolades at both the Western Australian and Victorian Institute of Sport Awards overnight.
Western Australia Institute of Sport
Tokyo debutant Matt Richardson took out the 2022 WAIS Athlete of the Year award, after the greatest year of his career. Taking out the gold medal in both the team and individual sprint events at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Richardson would also go on to win his maiden world title in October at the 2022 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in the team sprint.
Athletics took out top honours as program of the year, with their success headed by the achievements of Tokyo 2020 pole vaulter Nina Kennedy. Also having a career best season, Nina captured hearts across the nations at the World Championships where she took bronze. Two weeks later, she stepped up to be crowned Commonwealth Champion at Birmingham 2022. Capping off a blistering run, Kennedy would clinch her maiden Diamond League win in Monaco.
2022 WAIS Annual Awards of Excellence Winners
- Athlete of the Year: Matthew Richardson (Cycling)
- Young Athlete of the Year: Jacqui Swick (Rowing) and Alex Saffy (Para-Swimming)
- Coach of the Year: Brad Ness (Wheelchair Basketball)
- Program of the Year: Athletics
More here.
Victorian Institute of Sport
Athletes, coaches and sporting members gathered at the MCG last night to celebrate the Victorian Institute of Sport’s annual Award of Excellence.
Race walker Jemima Montag took out dual honours, crowned winner of the Award of Excellence and the Lifestyle Award.
The Award of Excellence recognises both the high-performance achievements and social contributions of athletes, for which Jemima was crowned. She won her second Commonwealth Games gold medal in the 10km walk at Birmingham 2022, with her previous title in the discontinued 20km walk. Also a medical student and IOC Young Leader, Montag continues to be a trailblazer off the track, delivering Olympian-led workshops to change the game for girls in and through sport.
2022 Award of Excellence Winners
- Award of Excellence: Jemima Montag (Athletics)
- Spirit Award: Liz Watson (Netball)
- Rising Star Award: Charli Petrov (Diving)
- Para Athlete Award: Col Pearse (Para-Swimming)
- Performance Lifestyle Award: Jemima Montag (Athletics)
More here.
