HARARE Swimming sensation Kirsty Coventry and tennis ace Cara Black are among the final list for the 2009 Sportspersons of the Year Award, setting the stage for a fierce battle for the top award that also features long distance runner Sharon Tawengwa. But, Coventry who has won the award for the past six years is favourite again to scoop the honours for a record seventh year after a stellar season in which she won two gold medals and one silver in swimming championships this year.
Coventry won a gold medal after winning the 200-metre backstroke to set a world record as she romped home in 2 minutes 4.81 seconds at the world swimming championships in Berlin, Germany. She also won a gold medal at the US Grand Prix before scooping a silver medal in the individual meddley at the swimming championships in Berlin.
But Coventry will have to ward off the stiff challenge of Black who won the womens tennis doubles titles at the Austrian Open, the French Open, the Dubai championships and also reached the semi-finals of the Wimbledon mixed doubles.
Some observers are even tipping Black to lift the coveted award. Long distance runner Tawengwa also remains a dark horse in the race for the top accolade after winning the 42km Nedbank marathon in South Africa early this year. The winners will be announced at a Harare banquet on December 18.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News