Article Written by Aaron Kirby | The West Australian
An unparalleled season of success and a triumphant Olympic gold medal defence have put Nina Kennedy and Matt Wearn into the race for the SportWest WA Sports Star of the Year award.
The West Australian can reveal the pole vault superstar who had the entire nation on the edge of their seat during the Paris Games and sailing’s Australian master as the next two nominees for the prestigious award.
Two more will be unveiled each day ahead of the ceremony on February 6, with cricketer Mitch Marsh, Australian water polo captain Zoe Arancini, surfer Jack Robinson, swimmer Iona Anderson, dual Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps, netballer Sophie Garbin, Diver Maddison Keeney and tennis ace Matt Ebden already announced.
Kennedy had started her 2024 campaign with a bang even before boarding the flight to France, winning the Australian Championship title before heading overseas to claim a silver medal in the Doha Diamond League.
But she saved her best for the most intense of spotlights.
Jumping late into the morning AWST, Kennedy went jump for jump with great American rival Katie Moon, that was until the West Aussie “sent it” and cleared 4.90m.
She faced an anxious half-hour wait as Moon tried to beat the height but let out a roar of triumph as her gold medal was secured.
Kennedy also claimed six golds at Diamond League events across 2024.
Wearn’s gold medal was just as hard-fought, even if he made it appear easy.
Weather played havoc with the sailing events in Paris, but the West Aussie, who had already won one gold medal in Tokyo, took it all in his stride and was the clear leader throughout the Men’s Single Handed Dinghy races.
He secured his gold medal defence with a crushing victory and celebrated in style.
On top of the gold medal, he also won the ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship, the Allianz Sailing World Championships (his second world title in 12 months), and the Sail Melbourne event.
The tradition of an award to acknowledge excellence in sporting achievements by West Australians began in 1956.
Previous winners of the Sport West WA Sport Star of the Year award, as it later became known, include golfer Hannah Green in 2019, cricketer Mitchell Johnson in 2024 and Paralympic champion Madison de Rozario in 2021.
The West Australian will reveal two more finalists in tomorrow’s paper, with 12 in total to be announced before the official presentation at Optus Stadium.
2024 WA Sport Star Finalists so far:
Iona Anderson | Swimming
Jack Robinson | Surfing
Maddison Keeney | Diving
Matt Ebden | Tennis
Mitchell Marsh | Cricket
Patrick Cripps | Australian Rules Football
Sophie Garbin | Netball
Zoe Arancini | Water Polo
