OLYMPIC rowers Andy Triggs Hodge and Fran Houghton could not hide their delight at scooping the top prizes at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards.

Three-time gold medallist Triggs Hodge won the sportsman of the year award, with treble silver medallist Houghton scooping sportswoman of the year at a packed Kassam Stadium.

It marked a fitting end to both their careers, with the Rio Games last August being their final competitive races.

They both bowed out in style, with Triggs Hodge helping Great Britain’s men’s eight win gold, and Houghton clinching silver as part of the women’s eight.

Such is their achievements on the water, they proved popular with the sell-out crowd, as did their medals.

But Triggs Hodge’s Rio medal was left behind at his Checkendon home and a lastminute phone call was needed for a taxi to pick it up – it arrived just as the smartly dressed guests had finished their three-course meal.

The 37-year-old took to the stage wearing his Team GB suit and was “very proud” to win the award.

He said: “It means a hell of a lot.

“You never go out to do it for the recognition but to be recognised, it makes me proud.

“To be here to cheer on the unsung heroes and all the people who make sport happen reminds me of where I started and why it’s so important to recognise all the people who give so much.

“It makes me think about what I want to do for my sport in the future.”

Triggs Hodge, who attended the ceremony with his wife Eeke and father Peter, added: “It’s an extension of the gold medal, it’s side by side, you don’t get one without the other.

“To have the Oxfordshire seal of approval it means a lot, especially having invested our lives here.”

Former Dragon School, Oxford, pupil Houghton, who hails from Wheatley, had spent much of the evening posing for selfies and chatting to guests about her career.

The 36-year-old was taken aback to pick up her award and she claimed it even came as surprise to her mother, Andrea.

“It was lovely for my mum to be here,” said Houghton.

“She thought she was going to fall off her chair when I won, so it was good for her to see that.”

Houghton, 36, who competed in her fifth and final Olympics in Rio, added: “It’s incredible.

“So many people have followed my journey and seen it all the way through.

“It’s (the ceremony) a very relaxed evening and it feels like I’ve come home.

“It all seems to be settling down now after Rio and I feel like everyone is familiar, even though I don’t know many people.

“It’s so nice to have acknowledgement for all the years of work I’ve put in.

“Especially with retiring, it’s good to have something which sees it off.”

ROLL OF HONOUR

Sportsman: Winner – Andy Triggs Hodge (rowing). Runners-up – Kyron Anthony (dance), Tim Stephens (athletics)
Sportswoman: Winner – Fran Houghton (rowing). Runners-up – Linsey Smith (cricket), Kate Williamson (athletics)
Club: Winner – Oxford City Athletics. Runners-up – Abingdon Gymnastics, Gosford All Blacks Rugby
Team: Winner – Oxford United (football). Runners-up – Harlequin Bowmen (archery), Oxford Saints (American football)
Coach: Winner – Marcia Marriott (athletics). Runners-up – Kelly Collins (dance), Tammy Sear-Watkins (ice skating)
Junior sportsperson: Winner – David Murphy (swimming). Runners-up – Ben Goodall (gymnastics), Miriam Pritchard (hockey)
Junior sports team: Winner – Oxfordshire U17 cricket. Runners-up – Gosford Hill U15 football, Henley U16 rowing
Sporting primary school: Winner – Whitchurch (Goring). Runners-up – Larkrise (Oxford), Wantage C of E.
Sporting secondary school: Winner – Blessed George Napier (Banbury). Runners-up – Cherwell (Oxford), King Alfred’s (Wantage)
Disability award: Winner – Witney Wolves (rugby). Runners-up – Oxfordshire Bears (cricket), Big, Bold & Balance (exercise)
Unsung hero: Winner – Robin Aston (table tennis). Runners-up – Deborah Evelyn (hockey), Peter Travis (kayaking/rowing)
Young Volunteer: Winner – Robbie Scragg (hockey). Runners-up – Lois MacDonald (netball), Rosalind Tsang (netball)
Sports Development Project: Winner – High Sheriff Challenge (Oxford). Runners-up – Parkrun, Sportivate Street Hockey
Active Workplace Award: Winner – Oxford Brookes University. Runners-up – Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Health Education England
Special recognition: Nick Harris