For a second year in a row, Connor Church was the recipient of the Tom Longboat Award. Started in 1951 to recognize Aboriginal excellence, it is both the most prestigious and longest running award of its kind in Canada.
Connor Church poses with UFC Hall of Fame George St-Pierre who was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame
Connor received the award for a second year in a row after a stellar season in which he captured National Titles in both the U21 Juniors and the Senior divisions at 79 kgs. He would continue his hot streak by winning Gold at the U Sport National Championships. Connor would finish off the season with a Silver Medal at the U21 Pan Ams and a trip to the Junior World Championships. At the time of this writing, Connor will be headed to Albania to represent Canada at the U23 World Championships.
Connor stops to pose with the award
And to take a picture with his mother Maralee
Congratulations Connor for this tremendous honour! Here’s hoping the 23-24 season will be just as successful for you. (To watch the full ceremony, click here. Connor receives his award at the 51 minute mark)
The recipients
A tweet from Derin Heroux, the reporter covering the story