Duncan Micallef and Tiziana Carannante were the major winners at last night’s Sport Malta Awards – Għazliet Sportivi Nazzjonali, organised jointly by Sports Malta and Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sport (Sportswriters Association) at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.
Both popular sports personalities won the prestigious titles for the first time in their career.
Drag racing ace Micallef caught the headlines last year after setting a track record at Santa Pod of 3.8960 seconds at the FIA Top Fuel Championships finals, to establish himself as the fastest male drag racer in Europe.
Tiziana CarannanteIn a tight vote, he finished first ahead of last year’s winner Steve Camilleri (waterpolo) and William Chetcuti (shooting).
Carannante won the gold medal at last year’s Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships which were played in South Africa.
Tennis hopeful Helene Pellicano was another protagonist of the night after she topped the Young Sportswoman of the Year contest.
She was also among the contenders for Sportswoman of the Year, eventually won by Carannante.
The Under-21 football team made it a memorable double for the Malta FA last night after topping the list in the Team of the Year contest with coach Silvio Vella claiming the Coach of the Year award.
The 2016 Official of the Year title went to retired international football referee Esther Azzopardi.
The winners
Special Olympics: Mark Agius (bowls); Ann-Marie Bugeja (gymnastics).
Young sportsman: Ben Plumpton (waterpolo).
Young sportswoman: Helene Pellicano (tennis).
Official of the Year: Esther Azzopardi (football referee).
Coach of the Year: Silvio Vella (football).
Team of the Year: U-21 football (men).
People’s Choice: John Zammit (cycling).
Sportswoman of the Year: Tiziana Carannante (bowling)
Sportsman of the Year: Duncan Micallef (drag racing – motor sport).
Gozo Award: Joe Bajada.