Cover Feng Tianwei of Team Singapore poses with the David Dixon Award during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony. (Photo: Getty Images)
Feng Tianwei of Team Singapore poses with the David Dixon Award during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Did you know that the David Dixon Award is only presented to one athlete every four years?
Singapore made sporting history this week when national table tennis player Feng Tianwei became the first Singaporean to win the outstanding athlete award at the Commonwealth Games.
The award came after the athlete won three gold medals at her games in Birmingham and also marked the first time a table tennis player has won the coveted award.
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After receiving the award, Feng said: “To receive the David Dixon award is a tremendous honour, one which I had never imagined in my wildest dream. I am very thankful to the Commonwealth Games Federation for this recognition.”
The award, which is known as the David Dixon Award, is presented four-yearly to a Commonwealth Games athlete who showcases an “exceptional level of performance, commitment and fair play,” said organisers.
The David Dixon Award was named after the former honorary secretary of the Commonwealth Games Federation and was first presented in 2002 in Manchester.
Considering its prestige, here are the five other incredible athletes worldwide who have been given the prize over the years.
1. Natalie du Toit
Natalie du Toit is a South African swimmer who was presented with the very first David Dixon Award for Outstanding Athlete of the Games at the Manchester Commonwealth Games.
As an amputee, Du Toit began swimming when she was just 14. She has won multiple gold medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games as well as the Commonwealth Games.
She was also one of only two Paralympians to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
At the Manchester Commonwealth Games, Du Toit won both the multi-disability 50-meter freestyle and the multi-disability 100-meter freestyle in world record time. She also qualified for the 800-meter able-bodied freestyle final and made history because she was the first athlete with a disability to qualify for an able-bodied event.
2. Trecia Smith
Trecia Smith is a Jamaican athlete who primarily competes in the triple jump. As a seven-time National Collegiate Athletic Association champion, 15-time All-American, and a 14-time Big East Conference champion, Smith is certainly decorated.
Smith was awarded the David Dixon Award at the 2010 Commonwealth Games after retaining her Commonwealth triple jump title that year despite only having one legal jump at the competition.
3. Samaresh Jung
Samaresh Jung is an Indian sports shooter and an air pistol specialist. He learnt the art of shooting from his grandfather who was a freedom fighter and ace shooter.
At the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Samaresh won one silver, five gold medals and a bronze medal after a gun malfunction. He was given the prestigious David Dixon Award at the closing ceremony.
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4. Francesca Jones
Francesca Jones is a retired Welsh rhythmic gymnast who has represented Wales at three successive Commonwealth Games. At the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Jones participated in the individual all-around competition and finished 12th overall.
She again competed at the 2010 Commonwealth Games where she finished in fourth place overall and won the event’s silver medal in the hoop discipline.
At the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Jones was part of the silver-medal-winning team from Wales and later won gold in the individual ribbon. She also won silver medals in the individual hoop, ball and clubs, as well as silver in the individual all-around.
This performance earned her the David Dixon Award that year.
5. David Liti
David Liti is a weightlifter from New Zealand who has won medals at many competitors such as the Oceania Championships, Pacific Games and, most recently, at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
In 2018, Liti participated in the Commonwealth Games where he won gold in the +105 kg event. His total lift of 403 kg ended up being a Commonwealth Games record and he was presented the David Dixon Award at the closing ceremony that year.
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Camillia Dass is the digital writer for Tatler Singapore.
