Ana Cabecinha, a race walker for Olhão’s Clube Oriental de Pechão, is in the running to be named ‘Athlete of the Year’ by Portuguese sports magazine Atletismo.
The nomination follows one of Cabecinha’s most successful years ever.
The 33-year-old athlete celebrated an impressive sixth place finish in the women’s 20km race walk at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London.
She also won a silver medal at the European Race Walk Cup in Czech Republic, and secured her fifth national title in Portugal.
Cabecinha has also taken part in three Olympic Games in 2008, 2012 and 2016, always finishing in the top 10.
Though she was born in Beja, Cabecinha has been competing for Clube Oriental de Pechão since 1996.
Olhão council has released a statement encouraging people to vote for her, as her achievements are “reason enough to do so”.
Mayor António Pina says the award would suit Cabecinha perfectly and acknowledge her “truly exemplary work”.
Other nominees include Inês Henriques and Patrícia Mamona.
Voting is open to everyone online at https://revistaatletismo.com/atleta-do-ano-2017/
Winners will be announced on November 16.
