by Simon Daish
Amongst a star-studded list of athletes nominated for the inaugural Panam Sports Awards, Puerto Rican star Adriana Diaz, 19 years old, has been nominated for the NextGen (Under 20 Female) award where she will be hoping to see off competition from five of the finest young stars the Americas has to offer.
Recognised for her fantastic performance at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, Adriana won medals in all four categories in which she was eligible to compete.
Adriana, alongside sister Melanie, guided Puerto Rico to its first table tennis gold medal at the Games with their impressive women’s doubles campaign, before going on to claim women’s singles gold soon after. The third gold medal came in the women’s team draw as Adriana and Melanie Diaz partnered with Daniely Rios to title glory.
If you want to see Adriana collect the NextGen (U-20 Female) award at the Panam Sports Awards in Fort Lauderdale, United States on Friday 13th December, show your support by casting your vote here. Voting will officially close on Saturday 30th November.
The ITTF is also thrilled to learn of Hugo Calderano’s nomination for Brazilian Olympic Committee athlete of the year.
Crowned men’s singles champion at the Universal 2019 ITTF Pan America Cup in February, more recently Hugo also took home three medals at the 2019 Pan American Games (two gold, one bronze).
Do you believe Hugo deserves to be named Brazilian Olympic Committee athlete of the year? Then vote for him here.
The ITTF wishes both Adriana and Hugo the best of luck in their endeavours.