Nathan Hales’ memorable year was capped off when he won the top honour at the Medway Sports Awards on Friday night.

Hales was named Sportsperson of the Year at the awards ceremony held at Rochester’s Corn Exchange on Friday night.

The 28-year-old won gold in the men's trap shooting at the Paris Olympics in the summer, breaking the Olympic record in the event and almost matching his own world record.

Although he was unable to attend the event, Hales’ video message was played to the audience when he said: “I’m really honoured to be presented with the Sportsperson of the Year award. This year has been amazing for myself and my family.”

Hales edged out talented boxer Moses Itauma, who took silver, while Katherine Batts, a long-distance endurance swimmer still going strong at the age of 64, claimed the bronze award.

Sporting excellence across Medway was recognised by the awards, which were sponsored by Willmott Dixon Construction and organised by Medway Council, with the Medway Messenger official media partner.

Medway’s very own Shaunagh Brown hosted the evening while awards were handed out by three former winners in Charlotte Evans MBE, Rachael Burford and Gary Smith along with Cllr Vince Maple, leader of Medway Council, and Cllr Nina Gurung, portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure at Medway Council,

Indeed, Burford – a multiple-time winner of the main award – was inducted into the Hall of Fame along with a posthumous inductee in James Williams. Medway Council’s former director of public health passed away in May aged 56, having also represented Great Britain in fencing at three Olympic games.

The awards covered the past two years with gold, silver and bronze winners in each category.

Award winners:

Sportsperson of the Year

Gold: Nathan Hales (unable to attend). Silver: Moses Itauma. Bronze: Katherine Batts.

Junior Sportsperson of the Year

Gold: Isabelle Priestley. Silver: Matilda Woodhead. Bronze: Joseph Watson.

Club of the Year

Gold: The Meapa Gymnastics Club. Silver: Chatham Table Tennis Club. Bronze: Medway Artistic Swimming Club.

Junior Club of the Year

Gold: Kent Crusaders Basketball Club. Silver: Anchorians Football Club. Bronze: Jumpers Trampoline Centre.

Team of the Year

Gold: Chatham Town Football Club Men’s 1sts. Silver: Holcombe Hockey Club Women’s 2nds. Bronze: Lordswood Cricket Club Men’s 1sts.

Junior Team of the Year

Gold: Chatham Town Football Club under-10s. Silver: Kent Crusaders Academy boys under-18s. Bronze: Sir Joseph Williamson Mathematical School hockey Team under-16s.

Coach of the Year

Gold: Tom Coyd MBE (unable to attend). Silver: Mark Roughsedge. Bronze: Cristina Stanciuca.

Official of the Year

Gold: Ann Hopkins. Silver: Amanda Edgley-Pearce. Bronze: Jamie Bond.

Primary School of the Year

Gold: Swingate Primary School. Silver: Thamesview Primary School. Bronze: Bligh Primary School.

Secondary School of the Year

Gold: The Rochester Grammar School. Silver: The Hundred of Hoo Academy. Bronze: Brompton Academy.

Unsung Hero

Gold: Jennifer Barker. Silver: John Dudgeon. Bronze: Graham Robertson.

Hall of Fame

James Williams, Rachael Burford.