Following his stellar exploits in the ring, standout boxer, Desmond Amsterdam capped his historic season with one of his biggest wins, earning the coveted Sportsman-of-the-Year award on Sunday. The middleweight nicknamed ‘Ammo’ is looking to further bolster his hardware artillery this year and beyond.
“In 2023, I am looking forward to competing in the Pan American Games, the World Championships which will be held in May and also the CAC Games. Next year, my goal is to compete in the Olympics and to become successful at the Olympics. I am training tirelessly for the Olympics.”
The work horse Amsterdam earned the award ahead of Guyana’s newest test cricketer, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, after creating history for Guyana last year, having won a bronze medal at the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Championship in Ecuador.
This feat ushered the 30 year-old into being the first Guyanese amateur boxer to win cash incentives at the championship. Amsterdam also won a bronze medal at the South American Games in Paraguay and battled to the quarterfinals of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
His achievements during the year allowed him to become the highest ranked Guyanese boxer (23rd) by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
After adding the accolade of Sportsman-of-the-Year, he told this publication the following: “I am feeling ecstatic to have received such an award. In 2023, I am striving to achieve success at every one of the tournaments that will be held within the boxing fraternity. “
A Sergeant in the Guyana Defence Force, Amsterdam extended heartfelt gratitude to his family, President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, his coaches, the GDF and “ the Almighty for his grace and favour in my life,” he concluded. (Emmerson Campbell)
Below is the full list of awardees following the National Award ceremony which was held at the National Cultural Centre.
Senior Sportsman-of-the-Year: Desmond Amsterdam (Boxing)
Runner-up: Tagenarine Chanderpaul (Cricket)
Senior Sportswoman-of-the-Year: Nicolette Fernandes (Squash)
Runner-up: Rosanna Fung (Bodybuilding)
Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year: Shomari Wiltshire (Squash)
Runner-up: Omari Glasgow
Junior Sportswoman-of-the-Year: Attoya Harvey (Athletics)
Runner-up: Kirsten Gomes (Squash)
Sportsman (PWD): Walter Grant-Stuart (Cycling)
Sportswoman (PWD): No submission
Male Coach-of-the-Year: Idi Lewis (Table Tennis)
Female Coach-of-the-Year: Tremayne Smartt (Cricket)
Team-of-the-Year: Junior Squash team
Association-of-the-Year: Guyana Boxing Association
Male Sport Official-of-the-Year: Ryan Sampson (Rifle Shooting)
Female Sport Official-of-the-Year: Ann Gordon (Basketball)
Sport Journalist (Print): Duncan Saul (Stabroek News)
Sport Journalist (Online): Avenash Ramzan (News Room)
Sport Journalist (Broadcast): Akeem Greene (News Room)
Corporate Sponsor (Small): MVP Sports
Corporate Sponsor (Medium): Mohamed’s Enterprise
Corporate Sponsor (Large): ANSA McAL Trading
Special award: The late Gokarn Ramdhani
