The Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports has revealed the names of the finalists for this year’s contest in the seven contested categories.
Members of the sportswriters’ association were involved in the voting process to identify the five finalists in each category.
Three athletes scooped the top award in last year’s contest, who are again in the running to defend their titles successfully.
Weightlifter Tenishia Thornton again made it into the final of the Sportswoman of the Year award, while the winners in the Young Athlete awards, Jake Castaldi, of pool, and lifter Kim Camilleri Lagana, were again in the five-man shortlist for the 2026 award.
The Team of the Year shortlist is made up of six finalists, as the journalists’ vote resulted in a tie for the fifth and final berth.
The winners in each category will be announced on the finals night on February 28.
The Executive Committee will also present the Fair Play Award and the best international event hosted in Malta during 2025.
Added to that, three personalities will be inducted into the Sportswriters’ Association Hall of Fame.
Sportsman of the Year: Gianluca Chetcuti (shooting); Brian Cini (snooker); Jared Micallef (athletics); Fabio Spiteri (triathlon); Mevrick Zammit (blackball).
Sportswoman of the Year: Haley Bugeja (football); Francesca Curmi (tennis); Sasha Gatt (swimming); Sophie St John (artistic gymnastics); Tenishia Thornton (weightlifting).
Young male athlete: Nick Bonett (athletics); Jake Castaldi (blackball); Jacob Micallef (motorsport); Nathan Mifsud (weightlifting); Timmy Vassallo (sailing).
Young female athlete: Chloe Amato (water Polo); Kim Camilleri Lagana (weightlifting) Emily Fenech (sailing); Thea Parnis Coleiro (athletics); Sophie St John (artistic gymnastics).
Coach of the Year: Robert Attard (blackball); Natalia Berehova (gymnastics); Rachid Chouhal (athletics); Giacomo Modica (football); Jonathan Valletta (water polo).
Official of the Year: Rita Azzopardi (water polo); Ishmael Barbara (football); Terry Camilleri (snooker); Jesmond Caruana (weightlifting); Vincent Degorgio (pool).
Team of the year: Gymnastics GSSE team; Ħamrun Spartans (football); Luxol St Andrews (Futsal); U-18 water polo national team; World Shoot Out pool team; women’s football national team.
People’s Choice Award: Neil Agius (open water swimming) – 5061 5031; Justin John Camilleri (para rowing) – 5061 5032; Julia Galea (artistic gymnastics) – 5061 5033; Matthew Galea Soler (athletics) – 5061 5034; Jake Gomez Blanco (kickboxing) – 5061 5035; Rodney Gatt (horse racing) – 5061 5036; Jacob Micallef (motorsport) – 5061 5037; Michelle Mifsud (triathlon) – 5061 5038; Tenishia Thornton (weightlifting) – 5061 5039; Team Gozo Dream (sailing) – 5061 5040.
Sport for Social Change: Ħamrun Sporting Football Club (VO/2365); Frame Football; MFA Social Responsibility; Ħamrun Ħanin; Inspire; Fgura United FC Players’ Council.
