Colombia’s golden girl Mariana Pajon was on Tuesday named Sportswoman of the Year by newspaper El Espectador after her Olympic heroics in London, England.
Pajon received the award ahead of Colombian soccer sensation Radamel Falcao as the athlete who has achieved sporting greatness during 2012.
The Medellin-born athlete sparked huge celebrations throughout Colombia when she won the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games in the BMX event.
Since then the 21-year old has been transformed into somewhat of a national hero receiving praise from president Juan Manuel Santos, being named an honorary citizen of the Andean community and even having a shot film made about her life.
This latest award will come as no surprise to a lot of people as she really has been the standout performer over the last 12 months.
Soccer star Falcao came closest to challenging Pajon as he too has enjoyed a remarkable 2012 with a Europa League and UEFA Super Cup winners medal with his club side Atletico Madrid as well as vital World Cup qualifying goals for the national team.
Fellow athletes who received mentions were bronze-medal winner Oscar Muñoz and BMX rider Carlos Mario Oquend, who also won bronze in England.
Of the other awards handed out, the Colombian national soccer team won ‘Team of the Year’ while Colombia’s BMX coach German Medina scooped the ‘Coach of the Year’ award.