Ambassador Kimbely Percival, overcome with emotions, could not hold back her tears as she spoke to Observer media from St Lucia after being crowned Sportswoman of the Year for a historic third straight time and fifth overall at the 2025 instalment of the National Sports Awards held at the Royalton Resort on Saturday night.
“I was just nervous and anxious because the possibility of getting that fifth one was just so much to me. To have started this journey with bodybuilding and only having one nomination years prior and now being able to say that I am the most decorated sportswoman or man in Antigua and Barbuda in the history of the National Sports Awards, it’s insane and I am so proud and so happy and I don’t even know what to say; oh my goodness,” a teary-eyed Percival said.
Percival, an IFBB Pro Bikini Fitness athlete, was not on island for the awards. She became the first athlete to win the awards for three consecutive years while also becoming the first athlete to win five National Sports Awards in any category. The award was collected by her husband and also an IFBB Pro, Bernard Percival Jr.
West Indies, Leeward Islands and national cricketer, Alzarri Joseph, who was crowned Sportsman of the Year said he has a new-found appreciation for the National Sports Awards.
Speaking with Observer media following the event, Joseph said that although he has never “kept up” with the awards in the past, he is happy to have won the accolade this year after losing out to kiteboarder Tiger Tyson last year for the 2023 awards.
“Really happy to win the award and, to be honest, I’ve never really kept up with it for a couple of years but I think I now understand the prestige behind this award, so I am very happy to win this award again. For me, it’s all about improving and keep eyeing that one percent so 2024 was an okay year for me, but this year I am trying to go one step further,” he said.
Predictively, the Junior Sportsman of the Year award went to 18-year-old rising cricket star, Jewel Andrew while the Junior Sportswoman of the Year award was won by track & field’s newest sensation, Tyra Fenton.
Minister of Sports, Daryll Matthew, praised the event’s organizing committee for putting on what he described as a fantastic event.
“I think it was an excellent production, not withstanding having to postpone it for a week given what transpired last week in Antigua and Barbuda, but I believe the production team did an excellent job and I believe that the athletes, administrators, coaches and well-wishers all appreciated the production tonight and congratulation to the winners. I am quite satisfied with the entire event tonight and I’d give it easily an 8.5 or 9 out of 10,” he said.
The junior winners both receive US$20,000 towards tuition fees to any regional or international learning institution while the senior winners each receive EC$20,000.
The event recognized athletes and officials for their performances throughout 2024.
(right), received his award.
