Tennis, weightlifting stars bag top awards

 By PETER PUSAL

HARDWORK, perseverance and  passion were qualities that were rewarded at the SP Sports Awards on Saturday night with tennis star Abigail Tere-Apisah and weightlifter Steven Kari bagging the sportsman and woman titles.

Both winners were unable to attend and their awards were accepted by their parents on their behalf.

Tere-Apisah, 21, who has been on tennis scholarships since she was  14, was finally recognised for her dedication and achievements in a sport that does not always get the coverage it deserves locally.

The Morobe-Central lass is based in the United States on schoalrship at the Georgia State University and was one of the institution’s top players in 2013 at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition.

Tere-Apisah got the nod ahead of track star Toea Wisil, who looked to be the warm favourite after a solid 2013 where she was unofficially the fastest woman in Australia.

Betty Burua, a specialist 400-metre runner, was the the other nominee for the Sportswoman of the Year.    

Kari, also 21, was rewarded  for  a year where he finally made the step up from top junior weightlifter to a contender in the senior ranks with a stirring performance at the Commonwealth Weightlifting championships in Malaysia last December.

Kari, from Hanuabada, has been based at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in Noumea, New Caledonia, since 2011.                

He smashed the 94-kilogramme junior men’s commonwealth weightlifting record in Penang, Malaysia.

Kari won both the Junior, and Senior men’s commonwealth crown.

Kari beat a very strong field of lifters from India, Nigeria, Australia, Scotland, Sri lanka, Malaysia and England to claim gold ahead of 2010 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist from India and Australia lifting a total of 352kg.

The other nominees for the Sportsman of the Year were Charles Amini Jr (cricket) and Jack Viyufa (bodybuilding).

Special guest and motivational speaker for the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored awards night was Australian sprinter Patrick Johnson. 

Johnson, who at one stage was the fastest man of non-African decent, is the holder of the Australian 100m record a 9.93 seconds.

The 41 year-old from Cairns, told the audience at the Crowne Plaza that that through a combination of passion, drive, will and great support he had managed to succeed in his chosen sport after a late start.

He encouraged the country’s athletes and sports men and women to stay committed and to believe in themselves. He said athletes needed to be dedicated and to strive to become the best they could and they would be successful.

He also commended coaches and administrators for their part in making successful athletes. 

Johnson competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and made the 100m and 200m finals of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Johnson spoke of his humble beginings and his rise to being regarded as one of Australia’s best sprinters.

In the night’s other categories, cricket’s Barramundis were named team of the year, while free lance writer and photographer Kevin Teme surprised many with his sports media award. Former South Pacific Games marathon runner Albert Manumanu was recognised for distinguished services to sport and Amoa PNG volleyball coach Tommy Lui won the coach of the year award.

Other award winners: Sports Photo of the Year – Mark Talia (Post Courier); Technical Official – Sarenah Pini (swimming); Sports Administrator – Ludwig Peka (Soccer/Team Morobe); Community Sports Initiative – Kempa Outrigger Canoeing Club; Best Sportsperson with a Disability – Rose Nege (special Olympics); Junior Female Athlete – Lorraine Harry (weightlifting); Junior Male Athlete – Fred Oala (weightlifting); Sports Club – Hanuabada Weightlifting Club.