By the BVI Athletics Association
Chantel Malone and Kyron McMaster respectively named BVIAA 2017 Senior Female Athlete and Senior Male Athlete
The British Virgin Islands Athletics Association is pleased to announce that Kyron McMaster and Chantel Malone have been named the BVIAA Senior Male and Female Athletes of the Year for 2017. This accomplishment is topped with their achievements as number 2 and number 10 in the IAAF Men and Women World Rankings in their respective disciplines.
McMaster, the 400m hurdler ended the year as the World leader in the 400m after clocking a time of 47.80 seconds at the Jamaica Invitational on May 20, 2017. He is currently ranked second behind Karsten Warholm of Norway in the world rankings.
At the World Championships in London, McMaster failed to qualify after been disqualified but bounced back by beating a field of athletes which included World Champion Warholm of Norway at the Diamond League Meet in Zurich, Switzerland on August 24, 2017.
Third and fourth respectively in the world rankings are Yasmani Copello of Turkey and Olympic Champion Kerron Clement of USA.
“I want to be the best and to continue to train hard and represent my country to the best of my ability,” McMaster said.
Malone secured a seventh place finish in the women’s long jump at the 2017 World Championships making history for the Virgin Islands as the first ever athlete to make it to the final of a senior IAAF World Championships.
Britney Reese of the USA is ranked number 1 in the world rankings.
Malone was truly excited learning about her world ranking, she said, “I was surprised but happy! With everything that happened last season, it was definitely an icing on the cake. It inspired me to continue moving forward and being the best athlete that I can be.”
The long jumper further stated that “this year my inspiration stemmed from losing Coach Samuels. I want my success to be a beacon of hope for the athletes of the BVI and let the world know that we are still a force to be reckoned with.”
Notably, Malone and McMaster are the only two Leeward Island athletes in the top IAAF World rankings.
BVIAA President Steve Augustine commented that “as a people and as the Athletics family, we are especially proud of Kyron and Chantel. What they have accomplished internationally is truly a testament to what hard work and determination can masterfully achieve. I trust that this will serve as an inspiration to the many super talented BVI athletes seeking to follow in their footsteps.
“Undoubtedly, I must also give credit to the many coaches that nurtured their athletic abilities during their youth, junior and senior years; Coach Dag Samuels and the Fast Lane coaching staff, Coach Winston Potter and the Top Notch coaching staff and Coach Loren Seagrave, who currently coaches Chantel. ”
Both Malone and McMaster are now focused towards the next major games, the Commonwealth Games with their eyes ultimately to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games.
The BVIAA Board, members, Athletes and Track and Field family congratulates McMaster and Malone for their historic accomplishments on the WORLD stage and being named Male and Female Senior Athletes of the Year for 2017.
Awardees in several other categories including Youth and Junior Athletes of the Year for 2017 and record breakers will be announced in future updates.
