Fitness athlete Kimberly Percival etched her name into Antiguan sporting history on Saturday night after she was named Antigua and Barbuda’s Sportswoman of the Year for a record fifth time.
West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph was named Sportsman of the Year.
Percival, who represents the Antigua and Barbuda Amateur Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Federation, previously won the coveted title in 2016, 2017, 2022, and 2023. Her 2024 win cements her status as the most decorated athlete in the history of the nation’s National Sports Awards.
Speaking from St. Lucia, where she was attending an athlete enrichment seminar, Percival described the moment as deeply emotional.
"Words are slipping me right now as to how I feel. I got back to my hotel room as the time drew near to when it was to start and I was just so nervous, so anxious. My heart was racing because I knew what this fifth win would mean and what it would signify for me and for bodybuilding in Antigua."
She continued, "And I watched it on Facebook and I, when it was announced, I had this overwhelming feeling of emotions and happiness and joy and even speaking about it now, I'm getting a bit emotional, you know... I'm so happy. I'm so happy. I'm so happy.
“I am so happy and so grateful for the executive of the association, my family, my husband, for dressing up and going there to represent me and smiling in every picture, although I know he hates taking pictures, and just having health and strength and the ability to do what I love and to be recognized and honoured for it."
Her 2024 season was nothing short of extraordinary. In May, she finished second at the IFBB Roger Boyce World Cup in Barbados and then, in October, reclaimed the Arnold Classic Europe title in Madrid. In November, she followed up by winning the Bikini Fitness title at the IFBB Pro Championship in Cancun, Mexico, ahead of winning another title at the Mr. Universe Chile competition to conclude her season.
"And I could proudly say that Ambassador Kimberly Percival has five Sportswoman of the Year titles awards," she said. "And with that is the most decorated sportswoman or man in Antigua, the only person with five awards. Five awards. That is, that is, that is huge. That is huge. That's huge. I'm so, so just proud. So, so proud."
She reflected on her journey to this history-making moment: "I remember the first year I was nominated because, you know, bodybuilding was never a front-runner for these sorts of things. And the first year I was nominated, I was just glad to be there, dressed up, and when they called my name my head was down in my phone because I was not even expecting it to be my name. And I looked up in shock.
"And to now, years later, to be able to say that I am the winningest athlete in regards to our National Sports Awards is just mind-blowing. And I'm proud and happy. I am tremendously proud and happy of how my hard work has paid off, and how everything has come together and what I'm reaping now from my efforts."
Other Major Award Winners:
Senior Sportsman of the Year: Alzarri Joseph (Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association)
Junior Sportsman of the Year: Jewel Andrew (Cricket) – also awarded a US$20,000 scholarship from the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Committee
Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Tyra Fenton (Athletics) – also received a US$20,000 scholarship from the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Committee
Mind Sports Person of the Year: Bernard Willock (Drafts)
Coach of the Year: Nelson Molina-Flores (Swimming) – awarded a scholarship to study Sports Management at UWI Five Islands
Sports Official of the Year: Ken Pennyfeather (Football) – also received a scholarship from the Board of Education
Sports Association of the Year: Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association
Special Recognitions:
Women in Sports Awards: Melissa Seaforth (Bodybuilding), Shirley George-Benjamin (Netball), Gwen Salmon (Football), Edith Clashing (Swimming), Kimberly Percival (again recognized), Team Antigua Island Girls (recognized in absence)
Lifetime Achievement Awards: Charles “Ira” Fabian (Cycling), Victor Parker (Drafts), Steve Williams (Bodybuilding)
Special Gold Medal Team Recognition – OECS Boxing Championships: Uriah DeSilva, T. Henry (Quan Lee Henry), Leon Laura, Omar Brown, Zan Johan
The night of celebration capped off another remarkable year of achievements across Antigua and Barbuda's sporting landscape, with Percival standing tall among them once again.