Sportsmanship Trophy 1992

International Diploma 1992

Joseph Pace (Athletics)

During an 11.2km road race from Kennedy Grove to St Julian’s organised by the St. Julian’s feast committee, the Russian Ivan Rozhnov took the lead from the start and by the time the competitors reached St Julian’s, he had opened a three-minute lead over Joseph Pace who was second. Although guided by traffic police, the Russian took the wrong turning round the City of London Bar, giving Pace an unexpected advantage to finish first. At the end of the race, Joseph Pace declined to take the first prize and approached the organisers to declare the Russian athlete as the true winner of the race.

Sportsmanship Trophy 2001

International Diploma 2001

Craig Wightman (Canoeing)

The veteran canoeist, Craig Wightman, was in second place after a 10-km race. Following a short rest, the competition continued with the 3-km phase, which attracted many inexperienced, beginner canoeists. Since Wightman paired up with the winner of the previous phase for this phase of the race, he stood every chance of winning. However, aware of the fact that the competitors with less experience were in greater danger, he gave up his chances for winning and stayed back among the other participants. In this way he was able to rescue a young competitor, who had tipped over in his canoe, and who was not reachable by the rescue boat. Later in the same race, he assisted another competitor, whose boat began sinking with him in it. For this act of service, Craig Wightman received the Maltese “Sportsmanship Trophy 2001” award.

Sportsmanship Trophy 2003

International Diploma 2003

Milos Stanisavljevic (Handball)

During the match Malta vs Britain for the bronze medal of the third edition of the European Handball Federation Challenge Trophy, following a good start, the Maltese saw the British take the upper hand soon after the interval. Five minutes from time with Malta trailing 15-17, Milos Stanisavljevic, the Malta captain, shot at goal with the Hungarian referee awarding a goal to the Maltese team at such a crucial moment. However, Stanisavljevic knew that the ball did not enter the net but he simply shot the ball slightly over the bar. Despite the fact that there were absolutely no protests from the British players, Milos stepped up to the official and told him that he (the official) had made a mistake. In fact, following his shot, the ball ended behind the goal net and not inside. Malta went on to lose the match and the bronze medal 16-19.