Two Surrey men won Athlete of the Year awards at a Sport BC ceremony on Thursday, March 5, in Vancouver.
The organization’s 58th annual awards, hosted by the CBC’s Scott Russell, honoured B.C.’s best in amateur sport including athletes, coaches, teams and officials for outstanding performances in 2025.
Surrey track star Praise Aniamaka was named Junior Male Athlete of the Year, while judo standout Lowan Le Bris earned Youth Male Athlete honours.
Aniamaka capped a breakthrough season by winning the triple jump at the U23 Junior Pan Am Games with a Pan Am Games and U23 Canadian record of 16.94 metres, breaking a 37-year-old national mark.
He also claimed gold at the Senior Canadian National Championships with a jump of 16.50 metres, notes a bio posted by Sport BC. “Ranked #1 provincially and nationally at both U23 and senior levels, and #29 internationally, Aniamaka’s 2025 performances reflect years of dedication, perseverance, and precision in one of track and field’s most technically demanding events.”
Fellow award-winner Le Bris had a strong 2025 season in judo, winning gold at the Pacific International Championships, Canadian Open National Championships and Montreal Pan American Cadet Cup, while placing fifth at the Cadet World Championships.
Ranked 4th on the IJF Cadet World Ranking List and first nationally for U18 men, Le Bris was named Judo Canada’s and Judo BC’s 2025 U18 Male Athlete of the Year. “Competing successfully across multiple age categories, Le Bris continues to establish himself as one of Canada’s top young judo talents,” says a bio.
The full list of Sport BC award-winners is posted on sportbc.com.
The awards celebrate sport in B.C. at all levels, noted Rob Newman, Sport BC president and CEO.
“We were inspired by the sport stories of all our finalists, winners, and the organizations they represent,” he said. “We are proud to bring the amateur sport community together and thank our guests, sponsors, and friends in sport. I would like to personally thank the Province of B.C. and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport for being the lead supporter of the event.”
Full list of 2026 Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards recipients:
I-SPARC Female Athlete of the Year: Shalaya Valenzuela, rugby
I-SPARC Male Athlete of the Year: Fynn McCarthy, volleyball
Female Athlete with a Disability: Elise Froese, wheelchair basketball
Female Coach of the Year: Hilary Stellingwerff, cross country
Male Coach of the Year: Carlo Basso, soccer
Male Athlete with a Disability: Thomas Venos, wheelchair tennis
High School Female Athlete of the Year: Adrianna Buitelaar, athletics
High School Male Athlete of the Year: Elijah Black
Junior Female Athlete of the Year: Elly Hoskin, cycling/mountain bike
Junior Male Athlete of the Year: Praise Aniamaka, athletics
Senior Male Athlete of the Year: Jackson Goldstone, cycling (mountain bike, downhill)
Youth Male Athlete of the Year: Lowan Le Bris, judo
Youth Female Athlete of the Year: Lily Stroda, athletics
Team of the Year: Duchess Park Sr Boys Volleyball
Masters Athlete of the Year: Shelly Stouffer, golf, Nanoose Bay
Official of the Year: Grace Barlow, ice hockey
Additional awards were presented including the Best of BC, Harry Jerome Comeback, Daryl Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award, Bobbie Steen, and two In Her Footsteps Honourees:
Best of BC – Vancouver Rise FC, soccer.
Harry Jerome Comeback Award – Larissa Franklin, softball
Daryl Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award: Terrie Moore, multi-sport/ SportAbility
BC Women and Sport Recognition Awards: In Her Footsteps…Celebrating BC Women in Sport:
Cathy Astofooroff, snowboard
Savanna Smith, lacrosse
Bobbie Steen Legacy Foundation Award:
Teagan Johnstone, multi sport