Sprint queen Julien Alfred once again secured the Sportswoman of the Year title as St. Lucia’s finest sporting talents were celebrated as they were honoured for their outstanding sporting achievements for the 2025 season in the 44th National Sports Awards Ceremony.
Alfred, the 24-year-old Olympic gold medallist, became Saint Lucia’s first-ever medallist at the World Athletics Championships in 2025, capturing bronze in the women’s 100m dash.
The victory marks back-to-back Sportswoman of the Year honors for Alfred. Her historic achievements at the 2024 Olympics were also honored on a commemorative stamp as part of Saint Lucia’s Independence Day celebrations on Feb 22.
The commemorative stamp series highlights key moments from Alfred’s historic accomplishments and will be added to the island’s official philatelic collection; however, there are plans to transition the commemorative stamp to a definitive stamp.
While commemoratives are special-issue stamps tied to history and culture, created to honor or celebrate a specific event, person, place, or theme, definitive stamps are used every day.
Alfred, who attended this event virtually, described it as a humbling experience.
“To be honored by my island in this way is deeply humbling. This place shaped me into who I am: my values, my strength, and my dreams, and I truly accept this not just for myself, but as a symbol honouring the strength of a united community, and I’ll always carry my island with pride. And of course, happy 47th Independence Day to Saint Lucia,” Alfred said.
Meanwhile, in the male category of the awards ceremony, Ackeem Auguste’s explosive performance in cricket earned him the Sportsman of the Year award. Auguste’s monumental double century for Saint Lucia in the final of the 2025 season in the Windward Islands tournament cemented his position as one of the nation’s brightest cricketing talents.
Swimmer Antoine Destang claimed the Junior Sportsman of the Year title after he shattered seven Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States records and four national marks. Meanwhile, sprint sensation Jady Emmanuel made history as Junior Sportswoman of the Year, becoming Saint Lucia’s first-ever sprint titlist at the Carifta Games as she claimed gold in both the 100m and 200m dashes.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Sports, Kenson Casimir said, “Our athletes have continued to demonstrate that regardless of our size as a nation, our talent, ambition, and determination place us firmly on the global stage.”
