Hurdler Jehue Gordon and shot putter Cleopatra Borel remained unstoppable as they continued to cop the top awards for outstanding sporting performances for 2013, for the second consecutive weekend.
They clinched the ‘Senior Male and Female Athletes of the Year’ respectively at the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) awards ceremony held on Saturday at Capital Plaza, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.
Gordon of Memphis Pioneers fame emerged ‘Male Athlete of the Year’ at the Spirit of Sports Awards (SOSA) produced by the Ministry of Sport and the Sport Company of T&T (SporTT) at Queen’s Hall in St Ann’s, Port-of-Spain on December 28. He was then voted Sportsman of the Year at the T&T Olympic Committee’s (TTOC) awards at the National Academy for the Performing Arts Frederick Street in Sport-of-Spain, a day later.
That’s where he and Borel, who competes under the Rebirth banner, shared the podium. She was named Sportswoman of the Year.
Their tag team performance continued at the weekend at the NAAA end of season tributes.
Gordon’s accolades were for his golden win at the IAAF World Championships held in Moscow, Russia, back in August in a time of 47.69. When he set foot on the track at the Diamond League in Brussels, Belgium, last September, victory was again his. Borel’s performance at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games earned her the NAAA nod. The awards presented to both athletes were of special significance considering they were bestowed by their home organisation. Gordon said, “This is my home organisation. I consider them my family. They are really the backbone of where athletes are from and are able to develop themselves through the ranks. I am always grateful to come out here and show my love and support for the NAAA.”
Earlier on the evening’s honour roll, Gordon won the award as the men’s open track athlete, while Borel earned the special prize as the top female field athlete.
Borel said, “Track and field athletes must understand their role here in T&T, owning the fact that we are one of the top sports in T&T. I really want our athletes to understand how great we are.”
Meanwhile Tobago’s Mark London of Zenith was declared as ‘Male Junior Athlete of the Year’ for his winning performances at the Carifta 800 and 1500-metre events while Dominique Williams got the nod for ‘Female Athlete of the Year’. Her victories in the 400-metre at the Junior Championships and the Southern Games, as well as the 800-metre at the Falcon Games boosted her climb to the rostrum.
It was a good year for two unattached athletes, however. Richard Jones was the dominant male in the road running events, while Andwuelle Wright captured first places in the long jump at both the Carifta and Junior Championships events.
Polished performances from Kiana Llewellyn (girl’s U-9), Elijah John (boy’s U-9) and Shaniqua Bascombe (girl’s U-11) caused Cougars Athletics Club to retain its title as the Juvenile Club of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. Meanwhile, Memphis Pioneers again clinched the Junior and Senior Club of the Year honour. As fate would have it, Dr Ian Hypolite of Memphis Pioneers walked away with the Coach of the Year Award, too.
Honour Roll
Male Athlete of the Year (Senior)
Jehue Gordon
Female Athlete of the Year (Senior)
Cleopatra Borel
Male Junior Athlete of the Year
Mark London
Female Junior Athlete of the Year
Dominique Williams
Champion Clubs
Juvenile: Cougars
Junior: Memphis Pioneers
Senior: Memphis Pioneers
Outstanding Performances
Jehue Gordon 47.69 (Memphis)
Deon Lendore 45.15 Indoor (Abilene)
Michelle-Lee Ahye 11.06 (Rebirth)
Mikel Thomas 13.19 (Rebirth)
Hezekiel Romeo 17.32 (Rebirth)
Adell Colthrust 11.28 Southern Athletics
Emmanuel Mayers, double gold 400H; 4 by 400-metre CAC (Rebirth)
Jarrin Solomon, double gold 400; 4 by 400-metre CAC (Memphis)
Keshorn Walcott 84.38 (Rebirth)
Machel Cedenio, gold 400-metre Carifta (Simplex)
Akeem Stewart 19.84 (Falcons)
Women’s World Championships Relay Team:
Shawna Fermin (Memphis)
Sparkle Mc Knight (Neon Trackers)
Ramona Modeste (Neon Trackers)
Alena Brooks (Memphis)
Dominique Williams
Girl’s U-9 Juvenile
Kiana Llewellyn (Cougars)
Boys’ U-9 Juvenile
Elijah John (Cougars)
Girl’s U-11 Juvenile
Shaniqua Bascombe (Cougars)
Boy’s U-11 Juvenile
Devin Augustine (Point Fortin)
Girl’s U-13 Juvenile
Shaniece Francois (Neon Trackers)
Boy’s U-13 Juvenile
Timothy Frederick (Point Fortin)
Girl’s U-15 Track Juvenile
Jenea Spinks (Neon Trackers)
Boy’s U-15 Track Juvenile
Adel Colthrust (Southern Athletics)
Girl’s U-15 Field Juvenile
Peaches Stewart (Falcons)
Boy’s U-15 Field Juvenile
Tyriq Horsford (Zenith)
Girl’s U-17 Track
Jeminse Parris (Memphis)
Boy’s U-17 (Track)
Kadeem Campbell (Memphis)
Girl’s U-17 Field
Chelsea James (Falcons)
Boy’s U-17 Field
Andwuelle Wright (Unattached)
Girl’s U-20 Track
Dominique Williams
Boy’s U-20 Track
Mark London (Zenith)
Girl’s U-20 Field
Shaunna Downey
Boy’s U-20 Field
Hezekiel Romeo (Rebirth)
Women Open Track
Michelle-Lee Ahye (Rebirth)
Male Open Track
Jehue Gordon (Memphis)
Women Open Field
Cleopatra Borel (Rebirth)
Men Open Field
Chris Hercules (Memphis)
Road Running
Female: Tonya Nero (Athletic Central)
Male: Richard Jones ( Unattached)
Cross Country
Female: Jenelle Nedd (Athletic Central)
Male: Kendis Bullard (T&T Defence Force)