World champions, world record holders and world cup heroes are just some of the incredible achievements the 2023 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year finalists hold.
Minister for Sport and Recreation, Nic Street, said the five finalists have made Tasmania proud after outstanding performances in their respective sporting fields.
“As a State, Tasmania regularly punches above its weight in the sporting ring,” Minister Street said.
“We are proud to be home to incredible sporting talent who go on to achieve great things on the world stage.
“These five athletes have put in countless hours of dedication to be the best of the best in their respective sports.
“While there can only be one athlete of the year, all five finalists deserve to be recognised for their incredible achievements over the past 12 months.”
The five finalists are:
- Nathaniel Atkinson (football)
- Georgia Baker (cycling)
- Kate Eckhardt (canoe slalom)
- Will Sargent (sailing)
- Ariarne Titmus (swimming)
The 2023 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year will be announced at a special cocktail function on Thursday, 30 November 2023.
Two new inductees to the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame will also be recognised at this event.
Background information on athletes
Nathaniel Atkinson (football)
- Nathaniel was the first ever Tasmanian selected to play for the Socceroos at a FIFA World Cup.
- Nathaniel played in the first-round match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the Socceroos lined up against France.
Georgia Baker (cycling)
- Georgia earned two silver medals at the 2023 UCI World Track Championships, one in the Madison, teamed with Alex Manly and one in the Points Race.
- Earlier in the year, she secured a second place finish in the Team Time Trial at the Internationale LOTTO Thuringen.
Kate Eckhardt (canoe slalom)
- Teaming up with Noemie and Jess Fox, Kate won a gold medal at the World Championships in London in the Women’s Kayak Teams.
- Kate left the 2023 Paddle Australia Canoe Slalom National Championships with two third place finishes in the C1 & K1.
Will Sargent (sailing)
- Will Skippered Team Ares, at the World Sailing Championships to win the SB20 World Championship Trophy.
- Will is also a finalist in the Male Sailor of the Year for the 2023 Australian Sailing awards.
Ariarne Titmus (swimming)
- At the 2023 World Aquatic Championships Ariarne won two gold medals in the 400m & 4x200m freestyle, a silver in the 200m freestyle and a bronze in the 800m freestyle.
- Ariarne’s two gold medal races were also World Record breaking swims.
