Ana Guevara of Mexico wins the 400m final (© Getty Images)
Mexico's Ana Gabriela Guevara and Dominican Republic's Felix Sanchez were respectively awarded the titles of best Latin American sportswoman and sportsman of 2003, in a ceremony held yesterday at Havana's Hotel Nacional.
Both athletes, World and Pan American champions, emerged victorious in the 40th edition of the traditional poll, organised by Prensa Latina News Agency, with the participation of a record 138 media groups from 25 countries.
Guevara and Sanchez were absent from Havana as they were busy training for the Athens Olympic Games.
Guevara - 100 votes
The Mexican star, who went undefeated in the 400 metres last year, winning the World title in Paris and collecting the Pan American gold in Santo Domingo, totalled 100 votes to win the trophy for a second consecutive year.
When clocking 48.89 in the Paris final, Guevara also became the first woman to do the one-lap run in under 49 seconds since the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
"I am very happy to receive the award on her behalf, both as Mexican as a woman. Last year, I had the opportunity to accompany her in this ceremony. Unfortunately, Ana has to miss it as she is busy training for the Olympic Games in Athens", said Mexican Ambassador to Cuba Roberta Lajous.
Cuba's double World Hammer throw champion Yipsi Moreno was Guevara's closest rival. The Island's best sportswoman of the year accumulated 54 votes.
Sanchez beats Perez in poll
In the men's voting, Sanchez' superb year prevailed over that of Ecuador's World 20km Race Walk champion Jefferson Perez.
"Super" Sanchez confirmed himself as the world's number one 400m hurdler, claiming the gold medals in Paris and Santo Domingo last summer. His impeccable season saw him improve his Area record to 47.25 seconds.
He joined baseball star Sammy Sosa as the second sports person from the Dominican Republic to clinch the area's highest award. Sosa was selected in 1998.
Athletics is most dominant
In the 40-year history of the poll, athletics has been the most dominant sport in the awards claiming the top prizes. Previously awarded athletes include Brazil's Joao Carlos de Oliveira and Joachim Carvalho Cruz, Ecuador's Jefferson Perez and Cuba's Maria Caridad Colon, Ana Fidelia Quirot, Daimi Pernia, Ivan Pedroso, Alberto Juantorena and Enrique Figuerola.
Figuerola, the inaugural poll winner in 1964, was present in the ceremony.
Cuban Olympic Committee President Jose Ramon Fernandez and Cuban Minister of Sports Humberto Rodriguez also attended the ceremony.
Buena Vista Social star Omara Portuondo, one the Island's most outstanding singers ever, performed famous Cuban and Mexican boleros to honour the decorated athletes and to the delight of the participants.
