Wheelchair Tennis Star Sarah Hunter Wins the Harry Jerome Comeback Award

(Vancouver, BC) – BC Wheelchair Sports Association congratulates wheelchair tennis player Sarah Hunter (Surrey, BC) on receiving the Sport BC Harry Jerome Award, which is given annually to an athlete who has overcome adversity to make an amazing comeback.

“We are so proud of Sarah Hunter not only for her impressive results on the tennis court, but also for the tenacity and determination it took to come back from what could have been a career-ending injury,” said BCWSA Executive Director Gail Hamamoto. “She’s very deserving of this award.”

After a collision with her doubles teammate that resulted in serious injury and a significant time away from the court, Hunter worked hard to get back to peak physical condition. This year, she returned to the international scene in dominant form. She is currently ranked 4^th in the world in singles and 3^rd in doubles. On the ITF tour, she appeared in 19 quarterfinals, 7 semifinals and 7 finals, winning 5 titles. With signature wins at the Salzburg Open in singles and the British Open in doubles, Sarah has re-established herself as Canada’s highest-ranking international wheelchair tennis player.

Nationally, Hunter is just as impressive. At this year’s Birmingham Wheelchair Tennis National Championships, she was undefeated and won both the singles and doubles titles. She is currently the number-one-ranked Canadian quad single and doubles player. Despite her hectic schedule, Hunter still finds time to give back to the sport she loves. Not only is she a long-time athlete mentor for BC Wheelchair Sports Association and the Bridging the Gap program, but she also recently entered into a more formalized mentorship assignment through Tennis Canada with up-and-coming athlete Mika Ishikawa.

Hunter will receive her award at the Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards Ceremony on March 5^th.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Arley McNeney
Communications Manager
BC Wheelchair Sports Association
Cell: 778-788-9091
Email: arley@bcwheelchairsports.com