Men's softball super star Jack Besgrove made the top-10 at The World Games Athlete of the Year 2023, an award open to athletes from all sports on The World Games programme. The Australian left-handed pitcher qualified for the final voting after the first round and finished in 10th place with a total of 17,040 votes, just two behind the ninth place and five behind eighth spot.
Besgrove won two World Cups in four months when he helped Australia to their second WBSC Men's Softball World Cup title in December 2022, and led the green and gold to their first-ever WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup in April 2023, where he was named MVP.
These two titles allowed Australia to become the highest ranked nation in the WBSC/KONAMI Men's Softball World Ranking at the end of 2023.
The International World Games Association (IWGA) President José Perurena congratulated all the finalists on their success: "On behalf of the International World Games Association, and personally, I would like to congratulate our winner and all the athletes in the Top 10 for their outstanding performances. Congratulations for their performances in this race; but they also need to be recognised and saluted for the constant, tireless hard work and sacrifices that they make to reach the highest possible level in their sport.
"This award is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the incredible records and achievements of The World Games’ male and female athletes from all over the world. Athletes are the beating heart of our community, and this trophy symbolises our gratitude.”
After the successful participation of women's softball at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama, the best players in the world - both in women's and men's softball - will feature at the Chengdu 2025 Games.
Bolivia’s racquetball star Conrado Moscoso was elected The World Games Athlete of the Year 2023.
Besgrove is expected to be in action again this year with the Australian team in the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group Stage
