Danish paddler Mads Brandt Pedersen is in contention to be named The World Games Athlete of the Year 2023 – and he now needs your support to secure the top prize.
Voting has opened to determine the winner of the coveted award that celebrates the athlete's outstanding achievements over the past 12 months.
Pedersen is among 22 athletes in the running for The World Games Athlete of the Year 2023 award after being put forward by the International Canoe Federation.
A year to remember for magnificent Mads
This recognition comes after a memorable year for Pedersen who claimed world titles in two ICF disciplines.
The 27-year-old captured his first-ever gold medal at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships with success in the men’s K1 5000 in Duisburg, Germany.
A week later, Pedersen topped the podium again with victory in the men’s K1 at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Vejen, Denmark where he also earned men’s K1 short race silver.
It was his third canoe marathon world title having also emerged victorious in 2019 and 2021.
Pedersen is the reigning champion in the men’s short race at The World Games courtesy of his triumph in Birmingham, USA in 2022 where he also picked up silver in the men’s standard distance.
Canoe marathon made its debut at The World Games 2022 and will feature again at next year’s event in Chengdu, China along with canoe polo and dragon boat.
How does the voting work?
It’s now up to you to help Pedersen achieve The World Games Athlete of the Year 2023 crown.
From now until January 22, you can cast your votes every 24 hours on www.theworldgames.org.
Every time you vote, you must choose two candidates – two votes go to your first choice and one to your second choice.
The vote will not be registered if you try to give votes to only one candidate.
If Pedersen is among the top 10 highest-ranked candidates, he will advance to the final round of voting.
From 12.00 GMT on January 22 until 12.00 GMT on January 31, you will be able to choose your favourites again with the same voting procedures being applied.
It is important to show your support for Pedersen on social media, using the hashtag #TheWorldGamesAOTY.
The International World Games Association will scrutinize the voting process closely and deal with any anomalies that appear.
The winner is set to receive a trophy and a valuable prize.
Related links
- Big names return to the top at marathon world titles
- Pedersen among the stars of final day in Duisburg
- Kiszli and Pedersen a class above at marathon World Games debut
