Olympian boxer Anthony Joshua, who won gold in the super heavyweight category at London 2012, will be the special guest at this year’s Medway Sports Awards.

Held at the Corn Exchange Rochester on Friday, 7 December, the awards will round off a wonderful year of sporting celebration in Medway, highlighting the achievements and dedication of Medway’s athletes, coaches, clubs, teams and schools.

A two-year nomination period closed in October, with 11 categories including club of the year, team of the year, unsung hero of the year.

Short-listed nominees will attend the awards evening, where the winners will be announced in the presence of Medway VIPs, sponsors, guests from national sporting organisations and an array of sporting stars.

The awards, held in association with the University of Kent, will be hosted by former Olympic Athlete and world record holder Steve Backley and former Paralympic world record holder Danny Crates. A number of other olympians and paralympians will be in attendance.

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services Cllr Howard Doe said: “This year has seen outstanding olympic and paralympic success by British athletes and has greatly increased the profile of sport in this country.

“Now that the benefits of sport and fitness are becoming fully appreciated, it is vital that we build a lasting legacy for future generations.

The £11million regional centre of sporting excellence at Medway Park is an important part of this legacy and we need to make use of this and all our sporting opportunities as part of the 4-year countdown to the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

That is why these Medway Sports Awards seek to recognize and encourage the achievements of local sportsmen and women, girls and boys, and may they inspire our own Medway athletes to still greater heights”.