Wiggins named Albany’s sporting best again

Rising cycling star Craig Wiggins has again been recognised with Albany’s highest individual sporting honour winning his second Albany Sportsperson of the Year title tonight.

For the first time Wiggins was named as the senior category winner at the Wellington and Reeves Albany Sportsperson of the Year awards gala presentations at Centennial Stadium, following his maiden win on international soil in 2018.

After four previous junior category wins, Wiggins was crowned the senior category winner after upstaging a quality field of local finalists before being crowned overall Albany Sportsperson of the Year.

Wiggins turned 20 on Tuesday and could not attend the presentations as he was competing at a major international cycling race.

His 2018 included winning the 80km Wielerronde van Albrandswaard race in the Netherlands against riders on the world tour.

He tasted more success on the European tour, winning the Ronde van Oudenbosch event another criterium race amongst other impressive victories.

Earlier in the night, emerging swimmer Tom Gawned capped off a sensational year in the pool when he was awarded his first junior category win.

Tom, 15, made two finals at the Australian Age Championships, finishing fourth in the 200m backstroke as well as winning a bronze medal at the School Sport Australia National Championships and six State gold medals.

Veteran hockey player Paul Murray proved you’re never too old to represent your country in an impressive year which led to him being awarded as the veteran sportsperson of the year.

Murray played for both Australia and WA in 2018 and was part of the national team that finished fifth at the Masters World Cup and was named MVP for Australia in the over-60s team.

The 46th gala awards evening recognised the outstanding performance and the contribution by Albany athletes to their chosen sport.

Albany's sporting elite heard from former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who was the guest speaker at the awards.

The Albany Advertiser is a sponsor of the Albany Sportsperson of the Year Awards.

Full coverage of the awards will be published in Tuesday's Albany Advertiser.