Sport

Army Sports Awards 2018: The Winners

The British Army celebrated a great year of sport as they held the 2018 Army Sports Awards last night.

The ceremony was held exactly 100 years to the day that Army Sport was first formally organised with the creation of the Army Sport Control Board.

Find out the winners in our gallery below.

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Sportsman of the Year — Lance Corporal Chez Nihell walked away with the 'Sportsman of the Year' award after ending his brilliant amateur boxing career with a third English super heavyweight title. He has made it through to the last eight of the England Elite Championships in every year he has been on the Army Team, winning six Inter-Services titles along the way.

Sportswomen of the Year — 'Sportswoman of the Year' went to Captain Jen Kehoe for her remarkable week in South Korea at the Paralympics in March. She helped partially-sighted Menna Fitzpatrick to four skiing medals, including one gold, which made Fitzpatrick the most decorated British Sports Para in history.

Rising Star Award — Skier Sapper Euan Kick was given the honour of the 'Rising Star' award, chosen ahead of Taekwondo star Sophie Bladek and young boxer Gunner Tori Ellis Willetts.

Official of the Year — 'Official of the Year' came from the sport of basketball as Warrant Officer 2 Ian Lester was rewarded for more than 35 years of dedication to the court, either as an official or a coach. He has been refereeing National League Basketball at the highest level for 23 years and is acknowledged as having been the top military basketball referee for the past decade.

Team of the Year — There was a surprise in the 'Team of the Year' category. Both the women’s cross country and the Ice Hockey Blades were stiff competition, but it was the men’s triathlon team who came out on top. It has been a successful 2018 for the team with an Inter-Services and National title bagged earlier in the year.

Lifetime Achievement — On a historic night at Sandhurst, the 'Lifetime Achievement' award provided a special moment for Major Colin Dixon. The winner was celebrated for 40 years of service to Army Orienteering. In addition to competing, he was the Army Orienteering Coaching Officer for eight years, during which he developed, coordinated and delivered more than 80 training courses.

Sportsman of the Year

Sportswomen of the Year

Rising Star Award

Official of the Year

Team of the Year

Lifetime Achievement

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