Speechless Amsterdam in awe of Sportsman of the Year nod

A look of disbelief was formed on Desmond Amsterdam’s face when his name was announced as the Sportsman of the Year 2021-2022 at the National Sports Awards on Sunday night at the National Cultural Center (NCC).
As Amsterdam collected himself and headed to the stage, where Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr waited to present him the coveted award, Boxing Coach Terrence Poole, M.S, leaped to his feet in a surprise move as he cheered for his protégé.
However, the boxer could not sum up what he felt about this astounding achievement.
“This means a lot to me. This is going to give me the drive, you know, to work more hard and achieve greater things in 2023. This is going to help me so I can qualify for the CAC Games, the Pan American Games,” Amsterdam told media operatives following the awards ceremony. He added with a smile, “Basically, I appreciate it. Really proud of myself.”
According to Amsterdam, who battled his way to two bronze medals at the AMBC Elite Championships and South American Championships in 2022, the achievement is all owed to hard work.
The Guyanese pugilist explained, “It’s all about hard work; hard work and dedication, you know. Beating the early morning dew, it was hard, and I feel so proud that the Boxing Association, the Director of Sports, recognised my hard work and dedication. I am sure that I will continue to work hard and make my country proud.”
Viewing the Sportsman of the Year award as motivation, a speechless Amsterdam has declared his intention to go for gold at the next Olympic Games.
“Right now I don’t have words to explain how excited I am right now,” the boxer expressed. He added, “But I will keep working, working hard to capture my dream. That’s (my) main focus right now: to make it to the 2024 Paris (Olympics) and make my country proud. Try to capture the gold medal.”
Quizzed about what he would say to those younger, up-and- coming athletes, Amsterdam identified discipline as the key.
“My advice to them is: always believe in your dream; always believe in yourself; always be consistent in everything that you do,” Amsterdam shared.
The boxer continued, “I would advise them to continue doing what they’re doing: put in the work and be disciplined.”
In addition to his two international medals, Amsterdam became Guyana’s highest ranked amateur boxer in 2022, according to the International Boxing Association (IBA). (Jemima Holmes)