CASTRIES, St Lucia, CMC – West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy and elite high jumper Levern Spencer have been shortlisted for the coveted 2009 Sportsman and Sportswoman title respectively.
The 26-year-old Sammy, who is currently on tour with the West Indies team in Australia, is expected to face tough challenges from long distance runner Zepherinus Joseph, table tennis player Adrian Albert, cyclist Kurt Maraj and swimmer Julian Brice who have also been short-listed by the Awards committee.
Sammy has played eight Tests and 31 One-Day Internationals and was this year appointed captain of the Windward Islands team for the WICB regional first class championship.
Spencer, meanwhile, will battle with Olympic swimmer Danielle Beaubrun, volleyballer Dania Hamilton and cricketer Maria David.
Currently ranked as the top high jumper in the Caribbean, Spencer soared 1.91 metres at the Central American and Caribbean championships in Cuba last year, to post a new national record.
Beaubrun, who is based at the Florida Gulf Coast University, won seven gold and four silver medals during 2009 and has already qualified for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.
