PARALYMPIAN Alphanso Cunningham has been recognised as the Most Outstanding Male Athlete with Disability at the prestigious Commonwealth Sports Awards held last weekend at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

Alphanso was the gold medallist in F52/53 javelin at the recent Paralympic Games in London and is a multiple medallist at international championships. His awards include gold medals in javelin at the 2003 Para Pan American Games in Argentina and at the 2010 USA Americas Cup.

In discus, he has won gold in the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games; the 2003 World Games, England; the 2003 Para Pan American Games in Argentina; the 2007 Para Pan American Games in Brazil and the 2010 USA Americas Cup. His collection also includes several silver medals. Along the way, he has also established world, regional, paralympic and championship records

In his presentation at the Awards Ceremony, founder of the Commonwealth Sports Awards, Al Hamilton, noted that "From its inception, we have strived to illuminate the deeds of Commonwealth athletes and to encourage the youth to aspire for higher heights".

Now in its 30th year, other recipients include Hon Mike Fennell as Sports Administrator of the Year; Vivian Cheruiyat of Kenya - Most Outstanding Female Athlete; Kirani James, Grenada - Most Outstanding Male Athlete; Eleanor Simmonds, England - Most Outstanding Female Athlete with Disability and Keshon Walcott, Trinidad & Tobago - Most Outstanding Young Achiever.

Olympian Donald Quarrie; Olympian Merlene Ottey, Dr Iva Gloudon, High Commissioner of Trinidad & Tobago to Jamaica and Hasley Crawford, Trinidad & Tobago's Olympian were recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards at last weekend's event in Trinidad.