Canberra-based runner Michael Roeger has been recognised as the male para-athlete of the year at Athletics Australia's gala awards ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday night.
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Roeger, who is missing the lower half of his right arm and competes in the T46 classification, capped off an impressive year with a new personal best in the 1500 metres that put him atop the world rankings for his disability class.
The two-time Paralympian also created history when he raced against able-bodied athletes in the men's 1500m at the national championships.
"Recognition is great because there has been so much hard work," Roeger said.
"I definitely think that this year has been huge for me.
That includes his coach Philo Saunders, who was named the Australian Sports Commission para-athletics coach of the year.
Fellow ACT athlete Lauren Wells took out the Flame athlete of the year honour for the best team person, while Dick Telford AM was named the Australian Sports Commission coach of the year.
Commonwealth Games marathon gold medallist Michael Shelley and Australian javelin recordholder Kim Mickle were named the male and female athletes of the year.
