Bodybuilders dominate awards
Date: 22-05-2007
Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamAntigua and Barbuda |
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Beverly Percival and Steve Williams of bodybuilding were named the sportswoman and sportsman of the year for 2006 when the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs held its annual Vita Malt National Sports Awards at the Jolly Beach Resort on Sunday.
Percival was chosen from a field of five other women nominees and was always one of the favourites to take that category but those in attendance were, to say the least, a bit stunned when head judge, Donald “Don” Charles, announced Williams as the men’s winner of the prestigious awards.
Speaking to the SUN following the awards, both athletes were somewhat speechless as they were still trying to get over their excitement but managed to convey their happiness to the press.
“At this point of my bodybuilding career they couldn’t be a better award for me – every athlete wants to represent his or her country at the highest level and to the best of their ability so I just feel great for what I have achieved tonight,” Williams said.
When asked, however, if he thought he had any chance of taking the top prize prior to the start of the awards, Williams said he knew he was going to be one of the top competitors.
“Looking at the profile of the others I did think that there was a possibility of me winning, but I always leave a little room for disappointment.
"But I am glad it turned out the way it did,” he told the SUN.
The reigning bodybuilding champion also took the opportunity to announce that he will not be competing in next month’s National Bodybuilding Competition but would rather concentrate on regional and international competitions.
“I am not doing the local bodybuilding show this year – I have decided that since I came so close to becoming a professional last year that I'm just going to concentrate on the Caribbean and Central American shows and any other international shows,” he said.
Percival also shared similar emotions of joy but said that she thought that she would have been outdone by athletics.
“I am overwhelmed but very proud and very happy that all of my hard work has come to fruition and I am just totally speechless.
"But it’s given me the incentive now to want to go overseas to compete and to represent Antigua & Barbuda,” she said.
“I actually was looking at athletics and I said that I don’t stand a chance so I was totally shocked – I did not have myself anywhere close and that I would come second again like last year or the year before,” Percival added.
Both winners walked away with a total cash prize of $8,000 each along with championship trophies and the prestige of being called the sportsman and sportswoman of the year for 2006.
The other senior nominees were Kenryca "KK" Francis and Brandon Christian of athletics, Kennesia Cabral of netball, Francine Hector and George Phillip of domino, Christal Clashing and Malique Williams of swimming and Tyechia Lake and Marlon Charles of basketball.
Also nominated were Sylvester "Bouncing" Joseph of cricket, Pendah Thomas and Alva Joseph of softball cricket, Alicia Williams and Carlton Bedminister of tennis, Peter "Big Pete" Byers of football, Robert "Ochie" Marsh of cycling and Karl James of sailing.
