Oz Gravity Sports Hall of Fame Award Announced.

14 November 2014 / Posted by Brett Phillips

So the votes were cast and counted from around the nation and GBHQ is very pleased to announce the winner of inaugural Australian Gravity Sports Hall of Fame Award. On Thursday 13th of November at the Seaview Hotel in Sandgate, Andrew "Sakamoto" Smith was recognised for his tireless contribution to the advancement of Gravity Sports within Australia.

Speaking about winning the award on Gravity Talk, Andrew said that "It was a great night, and thank you to those who came.There is one person I do need, and want, to mention, and that's Ado: for all the times I've needed to be bitch slapped, Ado was there able and willing to do it..his guidance, advice, the sounding board when needed and his friendship and love are GREATLY appreciated, and I can only hope to be as good a friend to him and to others as he has been to me over the years! Our gravity community is growing rapidly in Australia, with not only new people getting involved, but new gravity disciplines being created, moulded and beginning to bloom as righteous disciplines, and that is the Trikes.

Through the hard work of everyone, Australia has bonifide racing circuits for most of the disciplines, with the standup's having their first legitimate race this coming weekend, the first after a short spell of no events, and the first of many more events, I'm sure! I am extremely humbled and honoured to have been inducted into the Australian Gravity Sport Hall of Fame, but this award is not only mine, it is shared with every person whom ever supported, in any role, a gravity event and/or rider, as well as those who ride, from Wives, Husbands, Family as well as Friends. Thank you again to everyone who voted, and thank you to everyone I've had the opportunity to meet over the years, as all of you honestly share in this award! :)"

As a friend, an inspiration, a mentor and tireless contributor, the award is recognition of a life spent coaching, mentoring, organising, supporting, crashing, winning and riding his ass off when others wouldn't, indeed couldn't. The award is recognition of the respect earned and given, won and at times defended. The award is recognition of the virtues and qualities that we should all aspire to and yet seldom achieve in our lifetime. Surrounded by those who understand and respect the contribution that Andrew has made to all of the gravity disciplines both here and abroad, agendaless and with the trademark grace and humility that has always defines him, we raised our glasses to Andrew last night and all that he has done for all of us over the years. A truly deserving award to a truly deserving gravity legend and gentlemen.

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