STEVEN Baccus and Shrone Austin printed their names in the history books of Seychelles sports when they were crowned Sportsman and Sportslady of the Year 2003 during last Friday's (January 23), Sports Awards of the Year crowning ceremony at the SMB Exhibition Hall, Roche Caïman.

Sports Nation: Congratulations on your crowning as Sportslady of the Year. How does it feel to win the title?

 Shrone Austin: I can't describe exactly how I feel. I kind of feel like I'm over the moon. When they called Janet Thélermont for second place I was getting excited. And when they called my name I went "Oh my God, is it me?"

 Sports Nation: What's next for you?

 Shrone Austin: I believe that all sportsmen and women are training for the Olympic Games and that's what I am doing. I hope to qualify pretty soon. I am focusing on qualifying for this year's Olympic Games as it will earn me valuable experience for the 2008 edition during which I hope to go for a medal.

 Sports Nation: Now that you are Sportslady of the Year, what is it you want to achieve next?

 Shrone Austin: Whenever an athlete wins the Sportslady of the Year title, she wants to keep it and that's exactly what I intend to do. I want to put in the extra effort to become the first lady to retain the Sportslady of the Year title for two years.

 Sports Nation: You've also repeated Helda Marie's feat of winning both the Young Female Athlete of the Year and Sportslady of the Year titles for one particular season. How does it feel to get both titles?

Shrone Austin: I was expecting to win the Young Female Athlete of the Year title for a second consecutive year, but winning the Sportslady of the Year crown brought me joy. It is a big success to win both titles in one year. I'm happy with what I've achieved.

G. G.