awards
Disabled Swimmers of the Year Erin Popovich and Benoit Huot were extremely successful in 2005, but they have their sights sets on even bigger challenges.
ERIN POPOVICH
Female Disabled Swimmer of the Year
Since there wasn't any major international Paralympic competition in 2005, Erin Popovich, Swimming World Magazine's female Disabled Swimmer of the Year, took the opportunity to focus on her technique and training for next years World Championships in Durban, South Africa.
"I was building up my endurance and keeping in shape, working on turns and strokes," said Popovich, 20, who has achondroplasia, a congenital bone growth disorder that results in short stature.
After winning 10 gold medals at the last two Paralympics in Sydney and Athens, Popovich continued her success in 2005 at the U.S. Disabled Nationals in Portland, Ore., where she won five golds (50 meter free, 100 free, 400 free, 50 fly and 200 IM) and a silver (100 breast).
BENOIT HUOT
Male Disabled Swimmer of the Year
Canadian Benoit Huot, who has won 12 Paralympic medals in his career, hopes some day to reach 20. If he continues to swim the way he did in 2005, there's no stopping him.
Swimming World Magazine's male Disabled Swimmer of the Year won six gold medals at the Disability Sport England Swimming Championships in May He then went to the inaugural Paralympic World Cup in Manchester, where he won gold and silver in events that were held just 15 minutes apart.
The 21-year-old Montreal swimmer, who has a club foot, started swimming to help his self-confidence. In 2004, he was one of three finalists for Canadian Male Athlete of the Year, selected over many able-bodied candidates.
Kari Lydersen is a contributing editor of Swimming World Magazine and writes for the Washington Post.
Copyright Sports Publications, Inc. Dec 2005
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