Naomie and Xavier Lusignan named Female and Male Athlete of the Year

Naomie and Xavier Lusignan named Female and Male Athlete of the Year

On Tuesday evening (December 20), Mansfield-et-Pontefract weightlifting siblings Naomie and Xavier Lusignan were named Female and Male National Athletes of the Year at the Gala Excellence sportive Outaouais 2022 in Gatineau. The two had been nominated for other awards in the past but this is their first time winning. The award comes with a cash prize of $1,000, which Xavier said would help them pursue their international careers.  

“The decision was not in our hands. All we can do is really what we can and really perform on the competition platform, make sure we get good results,” he said (translated). “And, afterwards, it makes our application a little easier. It solidifies us that we are the ones who deserve to be the best athlete in our respective category.”

 

Naomie said she was pleased with the award, as it is the result of all the hard work they’ve put in over the years. 

 

“Well, I was really happy that the two of us were nominated this year, because, you know, we both stood out in our sport,” she said (translated). “Well, Xavier won the … Junior Pan American Championships and I won my first Canadian Junior Championships. So, it was really special and I was really grateful, I really think we deserved it.”

The full (French-language) interview with the Lusignans is available here. 
A video from the gala is available below: