The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O'Byrne, tonight announced world champion boxer, Daniel Geale, as the 2012 Southern Cross Television Tasmanian Athlete of the Year. 

Ms O'Byrne said 2012 had been a year of incredible achievements for Daniel, beginning with him retaining his International Boxing Federation (IBF) Middleweight title, defeating Osumanu Adama in Hobart.

"In February, Daniel not only confirmed his status as a world-class boxer but also his fierce pride as a Tasmanian, again providing us with the opportunity to share his world-title with a home crowd," Ms O'Byrne said.

"Daniel then crowned an already great year by defeating Felix Sturm in Germany in September to again retain his IBF title and also secure the World Boxing Association (WBA) title.

"This was an outstanding achievement. Felix Sturm is a great middleweight with an imposing record, and to defeat him on his home soil was very special."

The Southern Cross Television Tasmanian Athlete of the Year award recognises performance at the international level as well as individual contribution to the athlete's sport and the Tasmanian sporting community.

The finalists for 2012 were:

• Tim Deavin (hockey)
• Daniel Geale (boxing)
• Todd Hodgetts (track & Field)
• Kate Hornsey (rowing)
• Eddie Ockenden (hockey)
• Richie Porte (cycling).

Ms O'Byrne said the finalists were of an extremely high standard, including Olympic and Paralympic medallists, a world champion boxer and a Tour de France cyclist.

"Tasmania consistently produces world-class athletes that we can be proud of and the finalists for this year's award are inspiring examples of this."

For further information, including a full list of the finalists and their achievements over the preceding 12 months visit the Tasmanian Institute of Sport website: www.tis.tas.gov.au/internationalevents/tis_events_and_news