2017 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: MANAMI IIJIMA

GSPN’s 2017 Athlete of the Year is no stranger to coming in 1st place.

Swimmer turned runner, now turned professional triathlete, Manami Iijima set a new standard by becoming the first ever female to win GSPN’s AOY since the award first made it’s debut in 2012.

Iijima went after her pro card and competed as a professional Iijima turned in one of the most impressive resumes as an athlete in 2017 with numerous 1st place race finishes every month to go along with a 6th overall (1st in age group) finish in an Ironman event in Subic Bay.

Listen in on the 2017 AOY herself below and check out her accomplishments from the year!

Honorable Mention AOY

Iijima’s 2017 Year in review

January
7th – GRC Cross Island Road 10 Miler: 1st place
15th – Pulantat Road Race: 1st place
21st – AOLG 5k: 1st place
28th – Girl’s Scout 5k: 1st place

February
12th – Dual Distance Triathlon: 1st place
18th – GRC Hafa Half Marathon: 1st place
25th – St. John’s 5k: 1st place

March
12 – Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay: 1st age group, 6th overall
25 – Kick the Fat 5k: 1st place
26 – Guam Marathon: 1st place

April
9 – United Airlines Marathon: 1/2 marathon – 2nd place
22 – GRC Perimeter Relay: 1st female team

June
4 – Sprint Triathlon: 1st place
10 – Nissan 7.5 km: 1st place
24 – Tagaman 5150: 1st place

July
9 – TakeCare Summer Road Race: 1st place
23 – Guam National Triathlon: 1st place

September
2 – GRC Two lovers 8.6: 1st place
9 – Ironman 70.3 World Championships: 9th age group
16 – GRC Nimitz 20km: 1st place
23 – Coast 360 5k: 1st place
30 – GDOE 5k: 1st place

October
22 – Make a Wish 5k: 1st place

November
26 – Ironman 70.3 Thailand: 6th Professional Female

GSPN ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

2012 Jon Tuck (MMA)

2013 Zach Pangelinan (rugby)

2014 Eddie ‘Barefoot Bandito’ Vega (running)

2015 Guam Men’s Basketball Team (Pacific Games gold)

2016 Baby Joe Taimanglo (MMA)

2017 Manami Iijima (Triathlon)