Weightlifter Manueli Tulo and Basketballer Valerie Nainima were last night crowned the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for 2009 at the Fiji Sports Council Sports Awards.

Tulo and Nainima both were not able to make it to the awards night because of their commitments overseas.

Tulo, who is based in New Caledonia had a good 2009 season and also broke many records and won gold medals for Fiji.

Nainima is making her name in Basketball and is a great ambassador for Fiji in USA.

She is one of our top athletes playing in top level basketball competitions in the South East Women's Conference and is also highly rated.

Meanwhile, Bowler Ratish Lal was runner-up to Tulo in the men=s division and Weightlifter Maria Liku was the runner-up in the women=s division.

There were also awards given in other categories.

The National Female Athlete of the Year award was won by 15yr-old Caroline Li from Table Tennis while National Male of the Year award went to National Athletics star and Marist Brothers High School student Banuve Tabakaucoro.

The Youth Female Athlete of the Year was 13yr-old Elenoa Sailosi, who is a student at the Adi Cakobau School and dubbed as the next Makelesi Bulikiobo and the Youth Male Athlete of the Year award went to Sisari Dakui of Lautoka, who was the star runner at the FMF Chow Games last year.

And the Team of the Year Award was won by Fiji Volleyball's Kulawai Volleyball Team for their achievement at the World Cup qualifying rounds.

 
Meanwhile Tulo's father Sunia Uataletale who hails from Korovou Levuka, collected the award on behalf of his son.

He said he knew Tulo would win the main award and is proud of his son and what he is doing at the moment and wants him to become a star in the international arena.

Nainima's mum Betty Jitoko was also at the National Gymnasium last night to collect the award that her daughter won and was very proud of her achievement.