The Dominican Olympic Committee has recognized the country’s ten gold-medalists in the 2003 Pan American Games as “Athletes of the Year.” In the past, the annual award had gone to a single athlete. Those who won the prestigious sports title were: Felix Sanchez and Juana Arrendel (track & field), Luis Benitez and Gina Ruiz (tae kwon do); Rubel Salomon and Heidi Rodriguez (karate), Wanda Rijo (weightlifting); the women’s volleyball team; Juan Ubaldo Cabrera (boxing) and Lin Ju (table tennis). Former president of the Olympic Committee and chief of the organizing committee of the Pan American Games, Jose Joaquin Puello, also received a plaque of recognition for his involvement in last August’s games.
Best in individual sport awards were given to:
Ramon Mateo and Eneida Perez (chess).
Jose Miguel Robiou and Ludys Tejada (archery).
Felix Sanchez and Juana Arrendel (track and field).
Rafael Augusto Ortiz and Mary Fiordaliza D’Oleo (badminton).
Franklin Western and Teresa Duran (basketball).
Kelvin de Leon Castro and Nancy Pena (handball).
David Tavarez and Yeimi Reyes (baseball).
Rolando Sebelen and Aura Guerra (bowling).
Juan Jose Ubaldo (boxing).
Wendy Cruz and Juana Fernandez (cycling).
Manuel Bancalari and Ivonne Losos de Muniz (equestrian).
Wilmer Felipe Payano and Danna Ramirez Peguero (fencing).
Miguel Starling Lloyd Travieso and Yolanda Valerio (soccer).
Jose Luis de la Cruz and Rosanna Cabrera (gymnastics).
Anner Johathan Sosa and Juana Villaman (hockey).
Modesto Lara and Dulce Maria Pina (judo).
Rubel Salomon and Heidy Rodriguez (karate).
Thomas Aquinoa nd Wanda Rijo (weightlifting).
Angel Paulino-free style, Angelo Brea (Greco) and Carol Mendez (wrestling).
Laura Rodriguez Blanco and Jose Alberto Rodriguez (swimming).
Felix Mateo (skating).
Jose Juan Lorenzo and Socorro Ramirez (pelota vasca).
Franklin Diaz (pentathlon).
Simon Perdomo and Claudine Garcia (racquetball).
Eriberto Rodriguez and Isabel de la Cruz (rowing).
Jose Arias and Jennifer Arias (canoeing).
Eduardo Leonardo and Melissa Pena (softball).
Manuel Izquierdo (squash).
Andres A. Flores (surfing).
Luis Benitez and Gina Maria Ruiz (tae kwon do).
Johnson Garcia and Francesca Segarelli (tennis)
Luis Lin Ju and Nieves Xue Wu (table tennis).
Edwin Rodgers and Masiel Gonzalez (skeet).
Anabel Mateo and Melissa Duran (triathlon).
Elvis Daverson Contreras and Yudelkis Bautista (volleyball).
Raul Aguayo (sailing).