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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
SEASONED Karateka Samson Muripo says winning the Sportsman of the Year award will inspire him to do better in 2014 despite the challenges they are facing.Muripo capped a fine year when he scooped the Sportsman of the Year award at the Annual National Sports Awards held on Wednesday night at the Rainbow Towers.
“I feel so humbled by the support that I received from Arosume Property Development throughout the year which made all things possible for me.
“I feel inspired by this accolade that I have just received which will help me to train more and do my country proud come 2014. It’s still a struggle but with the love of the sport and the love of representing our country it is our duty to go and do well and come back victorious wherever possible,” said Muripo.
The night saw rower Peter Purcell Gilpin being crowned this year’s Junior Sportsman of the Year while Rachel Davies was named Coach of the Year.
Micheene Thornycroft was the first runner-up for the Sportswoman of the Year award. Davies said they worked hard to be where they are.
“It’s great. Traditionally rowers work really hard at what they do and so it’s not a surprise that I expect excellence out of them and they produce results.
“I am really happy that they are being acknowledged for that in this country because it is a minority sport. The athletes in rowing are also making waves and you will see us in 2016 in Rio for sure. We are just working hard behind the scene,” said Davies.
Triathlon national coach Wayne Davidson, who received the Sport Administration of the Year award on behalf of their association and the Junior Sportswoman of the Year award won by Laurelle Brown, said she was happy with their achievements.
“It means everything, we have a very distinct policy of junior development and we focus on that, so Laurelle being in our sport the best junior athlete in Africa and being recognised here in Zimbabwe is huge in our eyes,” she said.
United States-based hockey player, Rachel Goromonzi who got a bronze in the Sportswoman of the Year award, said it was an honour to be recognised by the nation.
“It means so much to me because it’s something I never dreamt of or expected and I was just doing what I could do. It’s a great honour to be associated with top athletes in this occasion and I really enjoyed it,” said Goromonzi.
Junior Sportswoman of the Year with a disability, Laina Sithole, said she was excited about her achievement.
“I am very happy because I won this award. Disability does not mean inability and I want to encourage other people living with disabilities that they can also make it in life, if they work hard. I am really excited,” said Sithole.
However, this year’s awards have had their share of controversy with the Warriors who failed dismally in their World Cup campaign getting a bronze for the Team of the Year.
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