By Stephen Wright

World racquets champion James Stout and Olympic swimmer Kiera Aitken were crowned Male and Female Athletes of the Year at the Annual Sports Awards at City Hall on Saturday night.

But the most poignant part of the event was an emotional video tribute to talented motorcycle racer Toriano Wilson, 14, who was killed in a freak crash during a Red Bull Rookies Cup event in August.

Family members, who collected the young champion’s posthumous Special Recognition award, fought back the tears as footage of the smiling young champion having fun on and off the track was screened on a giant projector.

“Toriano loved the sport, he really loved the sport and would love to see it continue. His young brothers will pick that up and run with it,” said Toriano’s dad, Dennis Wilson.

Other local leading lights recognised for their sporting achievements included cricketer Stephen Outerbridge, long jumpers Tyrone Smith and Arantxa King and equestrian Jill Terceira. Sports Citation awards went to the 1982 national cricket team and Olympic boxer Roy Johnson.

An elated Mary-Beth Aitken accepted the female award on behalf of her daughter who now joins Flora Duffy as a two-time winner, beating off challenges from fellow Olympians King and Terceira.

“We hadn’t expected that Kiera would win this again for the second time,” said Mary-Beth. “I would have broken the bank and brought her home if we would have known, but she is in Spain and is training very hard.

“She started swimming at six, and continued because she liked to pick up the ribbons at the end of the race. One day her sister came home with a second place medal and she said, I like those better.

“I told her that she had to get faster and win races to get a medal, and she did just that. After this all took place, she wanted to go the Olympics, and over the years she has given up a lot.”

Among Aitken’s notable performances last year included her national record breaking qualifying heat time at the Beijing Olympics.

John Stout then gave a lengthy acceptance speech on behalf of his son who is currently competing in the US.

“Award ceremonies are like beauty contests, it’s all in the eye of beholder,” he said. “One person leaves happy while the other two talk about her behind her back.

“A sport like racquets will always suffer in comparison to soccer and cricket – it’s inevitable. It’s difficult getting recognition at home as nobody plays the sport or is able to follow the sport. My son knows this and doesn’t mind.

“Like other athletes who play minority sports he doesn’t do it for adulation or fame. He started squash and racquets because they were sports he enjoyed and was talented at.”

Last year saw Stout, who also represents Bermuda at squash, enjoy a superb racquets season winning the US Open Championships, British Open and the World Singles Challenge.