media_artricles :: 2016

Thompson, St Fort cop First Citizens Awards

JERON THOMPSON (swimming) and Khalifa St Fort (athletics) copped the respective Male and Female Athletes of the Year as the First Citizens Sports Foundation staged its 2015 Youth Awards on Friday evening.

The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port of Spain.

During the year 2015, Thompson won the 50-metre backstroke, took silver in the 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle and 100m breaststroke, in addition to bronze in the 100m freestyle, at the CARIFTA Championships, which took place in Barbados, in April.

The 15-year-old also got gold medals in the boys 13-14 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 100m breaststroke, as well as silver in the 50m butterfly, at the CCCAN Championships, also in Barbados in June.

Thompson, who was adjudged the Junior Sportsman of the Year at the 2015 TTOC (Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee) Awards, stated, "I'm glad I actually did (earn both awards). I came out on top and I'm very proud of myself." The American-born St Fort (who has a Trinidadian mother) was a gold medallist in the women 100m at the Pan American Junior Championships in Edmonton, Canada.

The 17-year-old also got silver in the 100m at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia and bronze with the women 4x100m relay team at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.

"I am honoured to receive this award and I'm very fortunate to be able to represent Trinidad and Tobago," she said.

Thompson and St Fort were among the Top 12 Youth Performers for 2015, along with Tyler Cole, Kollyn St George (both cycling), Amira Pilgrim, Christian Marsden swimming), Ysabelle Lawrence, Sachin Kumar (golf), Aaron Wilson (table tennis), Salisha Rahim (powerlifting), Gabrielle Wood (judo) and Akanni Hislop (athletics).

Veteran shot-putter Cleopatra Borel, delivering the feature address, spoke on the significance of striking a balance between academics and sport, with particular focus on the young sporting personalities in the audience.

"(It's) because of sport I've travelled to over 40 countries," said Borel, "things I couldn't imagine when I was growing up in Mayaro." She also advised the youngsters to decide, commit and succeed.

"Decide who you want to be and commit to your goal," she pointed out. "Strive to be the best and let your light shine, for the better good." The Top Special Olympic Athletes for 2015 were also recognised during the evening's ceremony.

Those distinguished competitors were Theresa Duncan (aquatics), Donelle Walkes (athletics), Tamika Campbell (basketball), Colin Duncan (bocce), Devan Mahadeo (cricket), Joanna Piango (equestrian), Darrius Gokool (floor hockey), Brandon George (football), Malachi Sylvester (powerlifting) and T-Shian Gibson (volleyball).

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