The Archery World Cup silver medallist finished 2017 with further success on the national stage, having led the way for her country at international tournaments in Berlin and Mexico City, and as she prepares to tackle 2018 with confidence she is happy to reflect on a 12-month period which has brought nothing but smiles.
‘I’m really excited about it, I don’t know who nominated me but whoever did, thank you,’ said O’Sullivan, who won Archery GB’s national back-to-back indoor title in December.
‘A few years ago I was nominated [2014], but I didn’t feel like I deserved it. Whereas now I feel as though I’ve had a good year and I’m going into it [the CI Sports Awards] with a different mindset – knowing I did do really well.’
O’Sullivan says she believes the annual sporting celebration, due to be held at Beau Séjour, Guernsey on 25 January, presents an opportunity for all sections of the Channel Islands’ sporting community to enjoy well-deserved coverage.
‘For me [the nomination] is pretty cool because I’m a female – it’s always good to promote sport for females – and also because I come from what might be seen as a weird event.
‘Archery is such a minute sport so it’s nice that we’re in the limelight and being given a chance.
‘It will be a good event to get everyone in Channel Islands sport together to celebrate the year. The whole point of sport is to bring people together – it doesn’t need to be Jersey v Guernsey.’
Discussing her highlight of 2017, the 27-year-old said: ‘I think it was Berlin [World Cup team silver medal]. For me it was the best I’ve shot and I was so confident in my shooting.
‘It was such a high-pressure environment, as it was on Eurosport as well, and I know we came second but it was only by one point. We weren’t even expected to be in the final.’
She added: ‘Then there is also Mexico [World Championships] – being 17th in the world is amazing, and I beat some really good archers.
‘I felt comfortable last year and felt as though I deserved to be in the team. I want that feeling again.’
O’Sullivan is on the shortlist alongside Jersey’s BMX freestyle World Championships silver medallist Alex Coleborn, GB track athlete Cameron Chalmers, from Guernsey, and Alderney-born boxer Billy Le Poullain.
See today’s JEP for voting details.
