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Paralympian David the toast of the city
David Stone put Paralympians in the limelight last night when he was named Sportsman of the Year at the Leeds Sports Federation's 2008 awards night at Headingley Carnegie.
Cyclist Stone scooped two golds at last year's Beijing Paralympics, flying the Leeds and Team GB flag proud with victories in the mixed individual time trial and the mixed individual road race.
All-conquering Leeds Rhinos and the city's superb ladies diving team were also among those honoured.
TO SEE A SLIDESHOW WITH ALL THE PICTURES FROM THE NIGHT, CLICK HERE.
Stone, who suffers from cerebral palsy, was delighted with the recognition.
"To be acknowledged in this way for a disability sport is a nice surprise and it shows how far the sport is moving forward," he said."
Just behind Stone, Beijing Olympics triathlete Alistair Brownlee was highly commended while the Sportswoman of the Year Award was shared by five athletes – boxer Nikki Adams, cyclist Lizzie Armistead, hockey star Jo Ellis, rowing ace Debbie Flood and kayaking's Claire O'Hara.
Pontefract squash star James Willstrop was named Player of the Year – the 25-year-old and world number five winning the British National title last year and finishing runner-up in the British Open.
Said Willstrop: "It is always a surprise as when you are training you don't really think about awards.
"But it is a lovely addition to what you do and to be recognised by your home town is a special thing."
Elsewhere in the evening, awesome back-to-back engage Super League champions Leeds Rhinos were crowned Team of the Year, while centre Kallum Watkins picked up the Junior Sportsman Award.
The City of Leeds ladies diving team were highly commended in the team of the year – picked up by Beijing Olympian Rebecca Gallantree – while her coach, Edwin Jongejans, was highly commended in the Coach of the Year category, that award going to Carnegie rugby league coach Paul Fletcher.
Leeds diver Jenny Cowen was highly commended in the Junior Sportswoman of the Year award, behind martial arts ace Charlotte Rafton.
The future of Leeds swimming is bright, Matthew Johnson was crowned Young Sportsperson of the Year with Danielle Hall-Jackson highly commended along with Brazilian jiu-jitsu star Inka Piipponen-Doyle.
The night ended with a Lifetime Achievement Award for former Ryder Cup winner Howard Clark, who emotionally dedicated the honour to his father, who died last year after a long illness.
Leeds Sports Awards 2008 roll of honour:
Player of the Year — James Willstrop (squash).
Junior Sports Woman of the Year - Charlotte Rafton (martial arts). Highly Commended – Jenny Cowen (diving).
Junior Sportsman of the Year – Kallum Watkins (rugby league). Highly Commended – Daniel Gardener (decathlon).
Young Sportsperson of the year – Matthew Johnson (swimming). Highly Commended – Inka Piipponen-Doyle (Brazilian jiu-jitsu), Danielle Hall-Jackson (swimming).
Carnegie Student award – Louise Ionnton (power-lifting).
Sportswomen of the Year (shared) – Jo Ellis (hockey), Debbie Flood (rowing), Lizzie Armistead (cycling), Nikki Adams (boxing), Claire O’Hara (kayaking).
Sportsman of the Year – David Stone (cycling). Highly Commended – Alistair Brownlee (triathlon).
Disability Sport Performer of the Year – Serena Blackburn (marathon). Highly Commended – David Walker (bowls).
Coach Of The Year – Paul Fletcher (rugby league). Highly Commended – Edwin Jongejans (diving).
Team of the Year – Leeds Rhinos (rugby league). Highly Commended – City Of Leeds Diving Team (diving).
Outstanding Service Awards – Nuala Muir Cochrane (swimming) and Pat Mycroft (badminton and swimming).
Lifetime Achievement Awards – Howard Clark (golf).
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
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