Curling: Becker picks up prestigious award

New Zealand curler Sean Becker has won the 2012 world curling federation Collie Campbell memorial award. Becker was selected for the award by fellow players at last week's world men's curling championship in Basel, Switzerland. All participants at the tournament were invited to nominate a fellow competitor who, in their view, best exemplified the traditional values of skill, honesty, fair play, sportsmanship and friendship during the event Becker and his team finished fifth at the 2012 event - the best ever finish for a New Zealand team at this level of international curling. Becker, from Ranfurly, Otago has been curling since 1991. The 36-year-old is a four-time Pacific champion, and he skipped New Zealand to a 10th place finish at the Turin 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Playing with his sister Bridget, Sean won the silver medal at the 2010 world mixed doubles curling championship in Chelyabinsk, Russia. The Collie Campbell memorial award was created in honour of Canadian Collie Campbell, who served as president of the international curling federation from 1969 to his death in 1978.