One-on-one with Sportsman of the Year Steven Baccus-“There’s nothing wrong about not being able to defend my title” |14 December 2004

Weightlifter Steven Baccus, who, on the day of his crowning, said “I've always dreamt of winning the Sportsman of the Year title one day and I've fulfilled the dream”, cannot defend the title.

This is because he hasn’t been chosen as either the best weightlifter or runner-up for the year 2004 by the Seychelles Weightlifting Association.

Sports Nation: Steven, you won’t be able to defend your title. What is it that went wrong for you this year?

Steven Baccus: 2004 has been a bad year for me. I was already nursing a knee injury when I damaged the other one during a training camp in South African prior to our participation the African Weightlifting Championship. Still, I won two bronze medals in the clean and jerk as well as total at the championship. Two months ago, I injured my right thumb and could not participate in the recent National Championship. There’s nothing wrong then about not being able to defend my title. This is something normal and it can happen to any sportsman. I hope my injuries heal in time for the 2005 season.

Sports Nation: Who then do you think can succeed you as Sportsman of the Year?

Steven Baccus: Kickboxer Egbert Onezia has done well internationally. He is in with a good chance. Richard Scheer (also a weightlifter) can win it. He too performed well this year.

G. G.