KEY POINTS:
Former double world champion mountain runner Melissa Moon has been selected as one of 10 outstanding young persons of the world by Junior Chamber International (JCI).
The JCI programme recognises young people, aged between 18 and 40, throughout the world who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of young people.
JCI NZ president Martin Watson said today Ms Moon was the second New Zealander to have been nominated, following singer Hayley Westenra in 2006.
For a small nation, New Zealand regularly produced outstanding young individuals with impressive achievements, Mr Watson said.
Moon, 38, must have a trophy cabinet the size of a warehouse: She has twice been the World Mountain Running Champion and is also a world stair racing champion, holds 21 New Zealand athletic titles, is a seven-time National cross country champion and a 10-time North Island cross country champion.
She has also been awarded the NZ Sports Woman of the Year prize, the NZ University Sports Person of the Year award and been named Athletics NZ Athlete of the Year.
Last month she reclaimed the Wellington Cross Country title.
On her website she writes that part of the course was under water "...and other parts got quite muddy but it's a fantastic course".
The other award winners were:
Mayya Assaad (Syria), Contribution to children, world peace, and/or human rights
Dr. Angelin Chang (Taiwan), Cultural achievement
Garrett Gravesen (USA), Contribution to children, world peace and/or human rights
Dr. Lisa E. Hensley (USA), Scientific and/or technological development
Tania Major (Australia), Political, legal and/or governmental affairs
Dr Sam Prince (Australia), Humanitarian and/or voluntary leadership
Pascal Saffache (France), Moral and/or environmental leadership
Governor Luis Villafuerte Jr. (Philippines), Business, economic and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment
Yan Wai Kiu, Mickey (Hong Kong), Personal improvement and/or accomplishment
- with NZPA
Click here for Melissa Moon's website.
