DIDCOT’S Commonwealth Games medallists, Dan Rivers and Ben Watson, are thrilled at their nominations for Oxfordshire Sportsman of the Year, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

Rivers, who won gold and bronze in shooting in Glasgow, admitted he was honoured to have been shortlisted for the Oxfordshire Sports Awards, which take place at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow.

He said: “It’s the biggest award in this area, so to be shortlisted for it is a privilege and an honour “Just to make the shortlist is an achievement and is great recognition for what I’ve accomplished.

“Coming from a smaller sport you never really expect to receive that from outside your sport, so it is nice.”

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The 23-year-old’s success at the Commonwealth Games has greatly increased his profile, something which has taken him by surprise.

“This year has been a really good year for me, but I had never thought I would make it into the public eye because of it,” Rivers said.

“My focus has always just been on my training and competitions, but to be recognised by others is really lovely.”

“People have been picking it up from the paper, which has been good.

“It’s good to be able to showcase shooting in a positive light and I always like to see people take an interest in it, because it’s a great sport.”

Although Rivers has already turned his attention to qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he acknowledged it will be good to look back on what has been a successful year.

He added: “It’s nice to have a chance to reflect on what I’ve achieved.”

Watson also enjoyed Commonwealth Games success, winning a bronze medal in weightlifting.

And he’s also no stranger to the Oxfordshire Sports Awards, having been shortlisted in the same category last year.

But Watson admitted that this will be an exciting new experience for him after missing out last year.

“I wasn’t able to go last year because I was at the Commonwealth Championships in Malaysia, so this will be a first for me,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to it, it should be a good evening.”

And he added: “Obviously I had some success last year and was nominated then and it came as a total surprise.

“I think I’ve had an even more successful time this year, so it’s obviously nice that that’s been reflected in my nomination “But I think whoever wins it on the night will have deserved it.”

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