MANILA, Philippines — Pangungunahan ng dalawang kasalukuyang world champions, isang sumisikat na gymnast at ang gold medal winners sa 2018 Asian Para Games ang mga Major Awardees sa SMC-PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) Annual Awards Night sa Feb. 26 sa Manila Hotel.
Kabilang sa 23 atletang tatanggap ng Major Award sina reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, World Boxing Organization (WBO) counterpart Donnie Nietes, World Artistic Gymnastics Championships bronze medallist Carlos Yulo at ang Philippine Para Chess Team kasama ang mga Asian Para Games winners na paparangalan ng pinakamatandang sportwriting fraternity ng bansa sa special event na handog din ng MILO, Cignal TV at Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Matagumpay na naidepensa ni Ancajas ang kanyang IBF 115-lbs title ng tatlong beses noong nakaraang taon, napanalunan naman ni Nietes ang WBO belt bago matapos ang taong 2018 sa Japan, si Yulo ang naging unang Filipino at Southeast Asian male gymnast na nanalo ng medal sa world meet, habang nagpasiklab ang Phi-lippine Para Team sa Asian Para Games sa paghakot ng 10 golds sa Indonesia.
Sina swimmer Ernie Gawilan, Arthus Bucay (para cycling), Kim Ian Chi (para bowling), Sander Severino (para chess), at ang Para Chess Team (Standard P1 men, Standard B2-B3 men at Rapid B-1men ang mga miyembro ng national team na susi sa pinakamagandang pagtatapos ng Pinas sa naturang quadrennial meet.
Tatanggap din ng Major Award sa event na suportado rin ng Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Rain or Shine, ICTSI, NorthPort, SM Prime Holdings at Chooks To Go sina Thirdy Ravena (amateur basketball), San Miguel Beer (pro basketball), Meggie Ochoa (jiu-jitsu), Christian Tio (kiteboarding), El Joshua Carino (cycling), Arnel Mandal (wushu), sina Jannery Millet at Milo Rivera (motorsports).
Nasa listahan din ang Team Manila at Tanauan Little League (softball), Philippine dragon boat team, O’Neal Cortez (Jockey of the Year) at Sepfourteen (Horse of the Year).
Kabuuang 75 awardees ang bahagi ng 2018 honor roll list sa pangu-nguna nina Athletes of the Year Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting), Yuka Saso at mga kasama niya sa Philippine women’s golf team na sina Bianca Pagdanganan at Lois Kaye Go at si Margielyn Didal (skateboard).
Si bowling great Bong Coo at cycling champion Paquito Rivas ang tatanggap ng Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bibigyan naman ng Special Awards sina June Mar Fajardo (Mr. Basketball), Marck Espejo (Mr. Volleyball), Jaja Santiago (Ms. Volleyball) at Neil Etheridge (Mr. Football). Si Olympian at bemedalled athlete Bea Lucero-Lhuillier ang special guest speaker.