More glory for Thorkildsen

The 2008 Waterford Crystal European Male Athlete of the Year Andreas Thorkildsen's remarkable year continues as the javelin thrower was accorded with two of Norway's most prestigious awards on Wednesday.

At a ceremony organised by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture, the Beijing gold medal winner was awarded the gold medal for the ‘Performance of the Year' by national daily Aftenposten.

The newspaper has been giving this award to best performing Norwegian sports star since 1933.

The sports Journalist Association of Norway also presented a statuette to the 26-year-old star recognizing him as the Performer of the Year in Norwegian sport. With the awards, the two-times Olympic champion and 2006 European champion, joins a very select group of athletes who have had the distinction of winning the two honours in the same year.

The ceremony was attended by all the member of Norwegian contingent at the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics Games, along with a battery of former medal winners.