Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) has expressed pleasure at being recognised during the RJR Sports Foundation National Awards ceremony held recently at Jamaica Pegasus.

“We are extremely humbled to know that we were included in the RJR Sports Awards,” said Lorna Bell, the SOJ executive director.

Kirk Wint, the 14-year-old St Thomas native, was awarded for winning the gold medal in one of the softball throw events at the 2015 World Summer Games in California, United States.

However, his determined and courageous fourth-placed finish in a divisional 50-metre track final was arguably the highlight of the entire Summer Games. Wint, crouching and running on all fours — due to deformity to his lower limbs — against competitors racing from upright positions, went within a whisker of the bronze medal.

The SOJ basketballers were also recognised at the RJR awards function. Coached by Calvin Martin, they won silver in their division at the Games. Paul Daley, who hails from Franklin Town in Kingston, collected the award on behalf of the basketball team.

“The athletes are so excited, especially Kirk, because he is so young. They represented the country well and they deserve all the recognition,” added Bell.

The RJR National Sportsman and Sportswoman Awards staged in January recognised national sporting excellence in 2015. Track athletes Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt secured the marquee categories, walking away with the respective Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year accolades.