Archibald, Abrams crowned Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year 2023

Sprinters Emmanuel Archibald and Jasmine Abrams were crowned Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year 2023 as the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) dominated the honors when the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports/National Sports Commission held its annual awards ceremony last night. Castellani House.

Archibald, who is also a long jumper, won bronze in the men’s 100 meters final at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago in a time of 10.31 seconds, while his personal best in the 100 meters was 10.13 seconds was achieved in August 2023 in Budapest.

Abrams won silver at the 2023 Pan American Games in the 100 meters in a time of 11.52 seconds, joining June Marcia Griffith and Marian Burnett as female Guyanese athletes to have won silver medals at the games.

Powerlifter Dominic Tyrell came second behind Archibald, while chess player Jessica Callendar won runner-up Sportswoman of the Year.

Swimmer Raekwon Noel was rewarded for an outstanding performance when he won the junior sportsman of the year award, ahead of sprinter Malachi Austin.

Noel claimed the award after a phenomenal 2023 season, which saw him win five gold medals at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Curacao. Noel’s time of 16:17.92 seconds was a new personal best in the boy’s 15-17 1500m freestyle.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Youth Games 400m gold medalist Tianna Springer captured the title of junior sportswoman of the year, while chess player Kataleya Sam won second prize.

Springer romped to a historic gold medal in a time of 53.55 seconds at the 2023 games at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad, handing Guyana its first ever gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games. Springer also won gold at the CARIFTA Games and the South American Under-20 Championship.

The Commonwealth Youth Games 4×400 Mixed Relay team of Austin, Narissa McPherson, Javon Roberts and Springer were rewarded for breaking the Commonwealth Youth Games record on their way to gold when they won the team of the year award.

Mark Scott (Athletics) won the Male Coach of the Year award, while the Female Sports Official of the Year was also won by the AAG in the form of Kenisha Headly.

The dominance of their individual athletes and officials led to the AAG claiming the Association of the Year award.

Former West Indies player Tremayne Smartt won the female coach of the year award. The Person with Disability (PWD) Sportsperson of the Year award went to Uttamkumar Issurdeen (athletics), and the Sportswoman of the Year title was won by Anaya Lall (chess).

Trophy Stall won the Small Business Sponsor of the Year award, while MVP Sports won the Medium Business Sponsor of the Year award. E Net received the Major Corporate Sponsor of the Year award.

The Male Sports Official of the Year award was collected by former West Indian fast bowler and current ICC match referee Reon King.

Jemima Holmes (print) of the Guyana Times, Akeem Green (non-print) and Avenash Ramzan (broadcast) of News Room won the Sports Journalist of the Year awards in their respective categories.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson said at the ceremony that the government wants the athletes to be among the best in the world.

“We are confident that with the continued right environment and investment, much can be achieved for Guyana and Guyanese athletes,” he added.

“What you are going to celebrate tonight is your hard work, where Guyana has been able to recognize all the effort you have put in to be the best you can be. It’s always a competition and that’s how you promote your abilities. We wanted to make sure the recognition happens in a special way,” Ramson added.

The minister told the meeting that they could secure full-time scholarships for a number of athletes and coaches in India.

Long-serving sports editors Donald Duff and Claude David were recognized for their contributions to the brotherhood.