Leigh Ryan displays his surf lifesaving medals. 77543_02 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By MICHAEL ESPOSITO
LEIGH Ryan knew the chances of winning an award in which Cadel Evans was also nominated would be slim.
And while the Vicsport Sportsman of the Year award did indeed go to the Tour de France winner, Ryan was just thrilled to be recognised for excelling in a sport that is far removed from the mainstream.
“It was a massive honour, and in the program my name was straight under Cadel Evans so it was a real humbling experience,” said the Hoppers Crossing resident, who was recently named the Lifesaving Victoria male athlete of the year.
Ryan had his most successful year to date last year, making the Australian senior lifesaving team and in November competing in the German Cup, one of the most prestigious lifesaving events in the word, coming home with three medals.
Ryan’s Australian team claimed gold in the 4x25m mannequin relay, silver in the overall teams point score, and bronze in the overall points score.
It was the first time an Australian team had won a 4x25m event at an international meet.
The Jan Juc Surf Lifesaving Club member was also a finalist for athlete of the year at the Australian Surf Lifesaving Awards of Excellence in October and won 10 Australian Championship medals and 23 State Championship medals over the 2011 pool lifesaving season.
Ryan’s achievements have earnt him the Don Deeble Rising Star nomination for February.
The awards are run by Sunshine Western Region Sports Club in conjunction with Star News Group and Yarraville Club Cricket Club, and each monthly nominee receives $1000, a Sunshine World Gym membership, and a voucher for New Balance runners.
Ryan, a member of the Lifesaving Australia Elite Pool Squad, recently returned from the interstate championships in NT, where he had 14 top three finishes, and also came home with seven medals at the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships.
Ryan will be aiming for Australian selection at the World Life Saving Championships in Adelaide, but conceded it will be difficult to make the squad because the team combines both surf and pool specialists.
