Boddington wins Oppy after paracycling worlds gold haul
Roger Vaughan |
Four world titles and two world records have earned Korey Boddington the Oppy Medal as the Australian cyclist of the year.
The 30-year-old Queenslander is only the second paracyclist to win AusCycling’s top annual individual award.
Amanda Reid won the medal and trophy named after Sir Hubert Opperman two years ago and was also the first Indigenous rider to achieve the honour.
Boddington won the main award ahead of some impressive names. Other category winners this year included Olympic BMX racing gold medallist Saya Sakakibara, who won the Oppy last year, Tokyo Olympics BMX freestyle champion Logan Martin, road racing stars Jay Vine and Sarah Gigante, and track sprinter Leigh Hoffman.
The Oppy was first awarded in 1958 and its honour roll features legends such as Cadel Evans, Anna Meares and Russell Mockridge.
Two months ago – and only two years since taking up track racing – Boddington dominated at the paracycling world championships in Rio de Janeiro.
He won the sprint, 1km time trial and elimination race in the C3 category, also breaking the C3 world records for the flying 200m and “kilo”.
Boddington also had a big ride in third wheel to help Australia win the mixed C1-5 team sprint.
He won gold in the C4 1km time trial at last year’s Paralympics.
Boddington was 11 when he was hit by a van and suffered serious injuries, including nerve damage to his right arm.
Four years later, a motorcross accident left him with an acquired brain injury.
Boddington has since done two university degrees and works in accounting.
“Korey’s performances on the track, highlighted by his four world championship gold medals, have been nothing short of outstanding,” AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner said in a statement.
“Just as importantly, Korey’s story of determination – learning to walk and talk again after his life-changing injuries, then dedicating himself to his Paralympic dream – challenges our assumptions about what we can all achieve.
“To become the Australian cyclist of the year less than two years since (starting) competitive cycling – that is a remarkable achievement.
“For two paracyclists to win the Oppy in the last three years reflects the strength and depth of Australian paracycling.”
Wednesday night’s function in Brisbane was the first time the AusCycling annual awards have been held as an event since COVID-19.
The night also featured 12 inductees into AusCycling’s Hall of Fame. They included veteran race promoters Phill Bates and John Trevorrow, Paralympic great Kieran Modra, women’s pioneer Margaret McLachlan, and Olympic track medallist Annette Edmondson, now a race director at the Tour Down Under.
AAP
