media_artricles :: 2016

A handful for Borel

...as Cedenio leads athletics to awards sweep

Champion shot-putter Cleopatra Borel copped her fifth First Citizens Sportswoman of the Year award on Sunday night at the 53rd annual First Citizens Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year ceremony at Queen's Hall, St Ann's, while quarter-miler Machel Cedenio took home the Sportsman of the Year title.

Their successes ensured track and field dominated by capturing four of five awards at stake. The representing National Association of Athletics Administration (NAAA) was voted the Administration of the Year (large) for a second consecutive year to take home the prestigious Jeffery Stollmeyer Memorial Award, which its president Ephraim Serrette accepted.

The men's 4x400 metres relay team, for their feats at the Pan American and the World Championships, got the judges' nod for the Lystra Lewis Award for Team of the Year. The Chess Association of T&T completed the list of honours. It was voted the Administration of the Year (small) and was also bestowed with the Jeffrey Stollmeyer Memorial Award which its president Sonja Johnson collected.

Fifty-five athletes–30 males and 25 females–were nominated in 31 disciplines and after the presentations, 10 were short listed, with three being from track and field- Keshorn Walcott, Borel and Cedenio.

The others cyclist Njisane Phillip, Vanessa Hill (body-building); Kelly Ann Arrindell (sailing); Kenwyne Jones (football); Monifa Sealy (golf) George Bovell III (swimming) and Akeem Stewart (para-athletics) completed the list.

Cedenio won individual silver at the Pan American Games, before joining forces with teammates in the men's 4x400 metres relay final on July 25 where he fought valiantly, surging past his rivals in the final 100 metres to secure gold ahead of Cuba and the USA.

The 19-year replicated that performance at the DN Galan Diamond League in Stockholm, Sweden, in July. Trailing, Cedenio executed another finishing kick to steal victory in 44.97 seconds. He later put icing on the cake with a victory in the 400 metres in George Town, Cayman Islands, in a personal best time of 44.36.

Borel, meanwhile, reaped awards for her commitment when she secured gold at the Pan American Games in Toronto in the women's shot put, with a throw of 18.67 metres that put her ahead of silver medalist Jillian Camarena-Williams (USA) and Natalia Duco (Chile).

Borel, who achieved a season's best throw of 19.26 metres to claim victory at the Istvan Gyulai Memorial in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, on July 7, was also in fine form on the IAAF Diamond League circuit with a second-place performance at the British Athletics Grand Prix in Birmingham, England, a third-place display at the London Grand Prix and a fourth-place finish at the Meeting Areva in Paris.

Afterwards Cedenio was awed to have shaken the hand of President Carmona and further delighted to receive the honour. When asked about his preparations for the Olympics, he said the strategy by his coaches at Pure Athletes a pro-Adidas camp in Miami, Florida, was to take things slow.

"More of the mental part of the track than the physical part. We are getting closer together. As it's an Olympic year, he is getting to understand my body more and I am understanding his workouts more. We are working hand-in-hand to make me a better athlete. I'm going to keep focused, keep doing what I do…go on the track…keep this winning mentality."

Borel said: "It feels great. Five is my favourite number."

The Honour Roll:
Sportsman of the Year: Machel Cedenio
Sportswoman of the Year: Cleopatra Borel
Administration of the Year (Large): National Association of Athletics Administration (NAAA)
Administration of the Year (Small): T&T Chess Association
Team of The Year: Men's 4x400 metres relay team

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