Local wheelchair basketball sensation nominated for Sport BC Athlete of the Year Award

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Local wheelchair basketball legend Bo Hedges has been announced as a finalist in his category at the Sport BC 56th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards in March. 

The event recognizes the province’s best in amateur sports, including athletes, coaches, teams and officials, for their performances in the 2023 season. 

Each finalist was nominated by their provincial or multi-sport organization, high school, college or university. 

Hedges, originally from Wonowon, has been nominated for an Athlete with a Disability award, along with Vancouver’s Yuka Chokyu (badminton) and Victoria’s Mel Pemble (para-cycling). 

Last month, Dream Big Fort St. John and Beyond, a documentary focused on Hedges and his journey to becoming a Paralympic gold medalist, was test-screened at the Lido Theatre. 

Hedges’ career highlights include a bronze medal win with Team Canada at the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Americas Cup in Brazil in 2022. Last June, the team finished sixth place at the IWBF World Championships in Dubai.

The Sport BC 56th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards are scheduled to take place at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on March 7th. 

A full list of nominees and more information about the awards can be found here.