Olympic golden girl Diaz, Saso at Yulo mga PSA awardees

ni MC - @Sports | March 14, 2022

Mga bayani ng Olimpiyada at top sports achievers ang pararangalan ngayong Lunes sa taunang selebrasyon ng San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night sa Diamond ballroom ng Diamond Hotel.

Walang iba kundi ang Star of the night na si Olympic gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz na tatanggap ng Athlete of the Year award mula sa pinakamatandang media organization sa special two-hour affair na inihandog ng Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, at Cignal TV.

Magsisimula ang programa ng 7:30 p.m. kung saan host si veteran broadcaster Sev Sarmenta at former courtside reporter at news anchor Rizza Diaz. Natatanging gold medal ang nakamit ng 31-anyos na si weightlifter Diaz ng Zamboanga City sa kasaysayan ng 97 taon ng Pilipinas sa Olympics kung saan nabigyan niya ng kasiyahan ang 110 milyon na Pinoy sa women’s 55 kg class ng Tokyo Olympiad.

Pangungunahan ni Diaz ang 39 awardees, officials, guests at PSA members na pinaalalahanang magdala ng vaccination card para makapasok sa venue bilang bahagi ng health and safety protocols ng hotel.

Sina golfer Yuka Saso at gymnast Carlos Yulo ang tatanggap ng President’s Award mula kay PSA prexy Rey C. Lachica, sports editor ng Tempo. Awardees din sina Olympic silver medalists Carlo Paalam at Nesthy Petecio at bronze winner Eumir Marcial maging sina billiards champion Carlo Biado, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, grand slam winner Alex Eala, at boxing champions Nonito Donaire Jr., Jerwin Ancajas, at Johnriel Casimero.

Lifetime achievement awardee ang 2 living legends ng local basketball sina Robert Jaworski Sr. at Ramon Fernandez. Executive of the Year sina Philippine sports officials POC president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino, at PSC chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez.

May citations din sina Olympians Margielyn Didal (skateboard), Irish Magno (boxing), Bianca Pagdanganan (golf), Juvic Pagunsan (golf), Elreen Ando (weightlifting), Kristina Knott (athletics), Remedy Rule (swimming), Luke Gebbie (swimming), Kiyomi Watanabe (judo), Cris Nievarez (rowing), Kurt Barbosa (taekwondo), and Jayson Valdez (shooting), Paralympians Jerrold Mangliwan (wheelchair racing), Ernie Gawilan (swimming), Gary Bejino (swimming), Allain Ganapin (taekwondo), Jeanette Aceveda (athletics), aT Achelle Guion (powerlifting), maging Asian weightlifting double gold winner Vanessa Sarno.