Six Paralympians are among the seven nominees vying for the prestigious 2008 Australian Sports Performer of the Year Award for Athletes with a Disability.
With voting open until 5pm (EST) 21 November, it’s up to you, the Australian sporting public, to decide who takes home the honour.
To vote in the awards, sponsored and organised by the Fairfax media group, log onto http://sportsawards.smh.com.au/index.php
In alphabetical order, the Paralympians nominated are:
• Ryley Batt (wheelchair rugby)
• Matt Cowdrey (swimming)
• Kurt Fearnley (athletics)
• Heath Francis (athletics)
• Michael Milton (cycling)
• Tim Sullivan (athletics)
Tennis player Kellie Wren, who has an intellectual disability, is the other athlete with a disability nominated.
RYLEY BATT
At just 19, Ryley is widely regarded as the world’s best wheelchair rugby player. The dynamic high-pointer was instrumental in helping the Australian Steelers win the silver medal in Beijing. He was also named as the tournament MVP at this year’s International Super Series in Melbourne in May and the lucrative Canada Cup in June. He is currently playing in the US National Wheelchair Rugby Championships for the San Diego Sharp.
MATT COWDREY
Often referred to as “Australia’s Michael Phelps” the South Australian became the best individual performer of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games when he won eight medals – five gold and three silver – at the iconic Water Cube. Incredibly, each of his five gold medals was won in world record time. Despite having attended just two Paralympic Games, the 19-year-old is already third on the Australia’s all-time list of Paralympic medalists after he won seven in Athens. He needs a further four in London to equal the record.
KURT FEARNLEY
The dominant force in world wheelchair racing over the marathon distance, Fearnley endured a harrowing Beijing Games campaign to defend the marathon gold medal in he won in Athens. In other races in the days before his stunning marathon win, Kurt crashed, was disqualified and was allocated an incorrect lane but still managed to win two silvers and a bronze on the track. Apart from his four medal-haul at the Paralympics, the 27-year-old defended many of his major marathon titles around the world, including his New York marathon crown for the third year in a row.
HEATH FRANCIS
Competing at his third Paralympic Games, Heath Francis emerged as the star of the Beijing Bird’s Nest when he secured the amazing 100m-200m-400m gold medal treble in his class. He also took home bronze as part of the Australian 4x100m amputee relay team. Based at the AIS, the 26-year-old was simply unstoppable, and took his Paralympic medal tally to 13 after winning four medals in Sydney 2000 and five in Athens.
MICHAEL MILTON
An outstanding Winter Paralympian, Michael turned his focus to cycling in a bid to make the 2008 Australian Paralympic Team until his hopes were put on hold. He was diagnosed with oesophageal Cancer in July 2007, but showed true courage and toughness to come back and earn selection for the Beijing Games. After winning two gold medals at the 2008 Australian Track Cycling Championships, he performed solidly in Beijing but could not break through for a medal.
TIM SULLIVAN
Despite a tough Beijing Games campaign that saw him stumble in the final of the 400m, Tim became the record holder for most Paralympic gold medals won by an Australian after he anchored the 4x100m cerebral palsy relay team to a stunning gold medal at the Bird’s Nest. The victory gave Tim the 10th gold medal of his career from three Games, moving him past fellow Australian Paralympic greats Louise Sauvage, Libby Kosmala and Priya Cooper.
The Awards consist of six categories and the winners will be announced at a special function to be held at the Crown Casino on Wednesday 26 November, 2008.
Other categories awarded on the night include:
• Sports Performer of the Year
• Team Performance of the Year
• Coach Performance of the Year
• International Performer of the Year
• Young Performer of the Year
• Performer of the Year with a Disability