Williams among top BOA awardees

By Morissa Lindsay

Barbados’ track extraordinaire Sada Williams OLY took centrestage as the Senior Female Athlete of the Year, along with hurdler Shane Brathwaite OLY named the Senior Male Athlete of the Year at the 2022 Barbados Olympic Association/International Game Technology (IGT) Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

On Monday night when the very best sporting talents met at the Needhams Ballroom, Hilton Barbados Resort to receive their top prizes and accolades announced by Mistress of ceremonies Marsha Boyce, the spotlight was on the 25-year-old Williams who also captured the President’s Award and the International Excellence Award.

For her memorable performances of 2022, Williams received a cheque valued at BDS$30, 000 as she stood out on the track starting July of this year when she ran a personal best and set a new national record 49.75 for bronze at the World Championships in Eugene and became the first Barbadian woman to win a medal at that event.

She once again announced herself to the world in spectacular fashion winning 400m gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 49.90 and also clocked 49.86 for a silver medal at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Championships in Freeport, Florida.

Barbados was again on the tongue of track and field enthusiast as Williams had a tremendous showing on the Diamond League circuit with four top three finishes (she was second in Lausanne and Brussels,  was third in Monaco before deservingly earning another third place finish at the Diamond League final in Zurich.

During her speech, Williams said she was extremely honoured to receive her awards especially the President’s Award and made mention of the other nominees who also had an outstanding season.

“The successes I had this past season would not have been possible without the contributions and encouragement of so many people. Too many to name but you know who you are and I sincerely thank each and everyone of you for helping me make this a memorable season and for giving me a chance to win this award.

“I am excited to keep building on my achievement and promise to work harder, smarter with more devotion so I can hopefully add to this award and continue to represent my family, my country, my coach and my team proudly and to the best of my ability,” said Williams who also received a staycation for two at the Hilton Hotel.

Classed as ever consistent, Brathwaite captured a silver medal in the men’s 110m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham when he clocked 13.30 seconds to give Barbados its fourth silver medal in the history of Games.

The Junior Female Athlete of the Year was the sensational Jaiya Simmons who also won the People’s Choice Award with over a thousand votes.

Simmons had an incredible year winning eight Gold medals at the 2022 CARIFTA Swimming Championships and seven medals inclusive of three Gold at the CCCAN Swimming Championships.

Meanwhile the Junior Male Athlete of the Year went to the outstanding triathlon athlete, Fynn Armstrong who won the Under-17 Boys 3000m at the 2022 CARIFTA Games. He then followed up that performance at the Triathlon CARIFTA with some top performances.

Members of the Barbados 1962 team to the Central American and Caribbean Games were also recognized with most of them in attendance to receive their awards.

AWARD NOMINEES:

Presentation of Special Award to 1962 CAC Games Team Manager

Michael Simmons

Long Service Awards

ERIC WARD (10 Years)

GLYNE CLARKE (15 Years)

PAULA JARVIS (15 Years)

GAIL CRAIG-ARCHER (20 Years)

Dedicated Service Award

Jasper Blades

Coach of the Year Award

SHAKEIRA WAITHE (Badminton)

DAVE FARMER (Swimming)

YIAMA PAYNE (Wrestling)

International Excellence Award

SADA WILLIAMS OLY – (Athletics)

ERIN PINDER (Gymnastics)

ZANE MALONEY (Motoring)

CHELSEA TUACH (Surfing)

JOSHUA BURKE (Surfing)

People’s Choice Award

SADA WILLIAMS OLY – Athletics

SHANE BRATHWAITE OLY – Athletics

JONATHAN JONES OLY – Athletics

AMBER JOSEPH – Cycling

CHELSEA TUACH – Surfing

JOSHUA BURKE – Surfing

JAIYA SIMMONS – Swimming

FYNN ARMSTRONG – Triathlon/Athletics

PERFORMANCE BONUS RECIPIENTS

Caribbean Games – Guadeloupe

KYLE GALE (Athletics)

JEMUEL MILLER (Athletics)

NATHAN CRAWFORD-WALLIS (Athletics)

U23 NETBALL Team (Netball)

DANIELLE TREASURE (Swimming)

Commonwealth Games – Birmingham

SADA WILLIAMS OLY (Athletics)

SHANE BRATHWAITE OLY (Athletics)

JONATHAN JONES OLY (Athletics)

CentroCaribe Sports Beach and Sea Games Santa Marta, Colombia

WOMENS TEAM (Rugby)

JOSHUA BURKE (Surfing)

CHELSEA TUACH (Surfing)

REUBEN WILTHSHIRE (Wrestling)

Junior Female Athlete of the Year

HANNAH WILSON (Chess)

EMILY ODWIN (Golf)

JAIYA SIMMONS (Swimming)

HAILEY BANFIELD (Triathlon)

Junior Male Athlete of the Year

TOMMASO LAYSON (Surfing)

TARIQ GREENIDGE (Swimming)

FYNN ARMSTRONG (Triathlon & Athletics)

Male Athlete Special Recognition

MARK SEALY (Squash)

MATTHEW WRIGHT (Triathlon)

Female Athlete Special Recognition

KAREN MEAKINS (Squash)

AMBER JOSEPH (Swimming)

Male Athlete of the Year

JONATHAN JONES OLY (Athletics)

SHANE BRATHWAITE OLY (Athletics)

MARK SEALY (Squash)

MATTHEW WRIGHT (Triathlon)

Female Athlete of the Year

SADA WILLIAMS OLY (Athletics)

AMBER JOSEPH (Cycling)

KAREN MEAKINS (Squash)

DANIELLE TREASURE (Swimming)

President’s Award

SADA WILLIAMS OLY (Athletics)

AMBER JOSEPH (Cycling)

KAREN MEAKINS (Squash)

DANIELLE TREASURE (Swimming)

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb