La Habana CUB - Mexico's Ana Gabriela Guevara y Dominican Republic's Felix Sanchez were awarded the best Latin American sportswoman and sportsman of 2003, in a ceremony held yesterday at Havana's Hotel Nacional.

Both athletes, world and Pan American champions, emerged victorious in the 40th edition of the traditional poll, organised by Prensa Latina News Agency, with the participation of a record 138 media groups from 25 countries.

Guevara and Sanchez were absent in Havana as they are busy training on the road to Athens Olympic Games.

The Mexican star, who went undefeated in the 400 meters last year, winning the world title in Paris and collecting the Pan American gold in Santo Domingo, totalled 100 votes to deserve the trophy for a second consecutive year.

When clocking 48.89 in the Paris final, she also became the first woman to cover the one-lap run under 49 seconds since the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

The 26-year old runner equalled other previously awarded Mexicans: fencer Pilar Roldan (1965), swimmer Felipe "Tibio" Muñoz (1968) shooter Nuria Ortíz (1969) and race walker Daniel Bautista (1979).

"I am very happy to receive the award on her behalf, both as Mexican as a woman. Last year, I had the opportunity to accompany her in this ceremony. Unfortunately, she has to miss it as she is busy training for the Olympic Games in Athens", said Mexican ambassador to Cuba Roberta Lajous.

Cuba's two-time hammer throw world champion Yipsi Moreno was her closest rival. The Island's best sportswoman of the year cumulated 54 votes.

In the men's voting, Sanchez' superb performance prevailed over Ecuador's 20km walk world champion Jefferson Perez, recently distinguished the best South American athlete of 2003.

"Super" Sanchez confirmed himself as the world's no.1 400-meter hurdler, claiming the gold medal in Paris and Santo Domingo. His impeccable season saw him improve his area record to 47.25 seconds.

He joined baseball star Sammy Sosa as the second sports person from the Dominican Republic to clinch the area's highest award. Sosa was selected in 1998.

The Cuban baseball squad, who won the Pan American and world titles, and dominated the pre-Olympic tournament of the Americas, was voted the best Latin American team of the year, ahead of the Argentinean soccer club Boca Juniors.

In the 40-year history of the poll, athletics has been the most dominant sports claiming the top prizes. Previously awarded athletes include Brazil's Joao Carlos de Oliveira and Joachim Carvalho Cruz, Ecuador's Jefferson Perez and Cuba's Maria Caridad Colon, Ana Fidelia Quirot, Daimi Pernia, Ivan Pedroso, Alberto Juantorena and Enrique Figuerola.

Figuerola, the inaugural PL poll winner in 1964, was present in the ceremony.

The gala was also highlighted by Argentinean soccer star Diego Armando Maradona, who received a special award on the hands of Prensa Latina president Frank Gonzalez.

Maradona, who has been living in Cuba since January 2000, won the award in 1986.

Cuban Olympic Committee president Jose Ramon Fernandez and Cuban Minister of Sports Humberto Rodriguez also attended the ceremony.

Buena Vista Social star Omara Portuondo, one the Island's most outstanding singers ever, performed famous Cuban and Mexican boleros to honour the decorated athletes and to the delight of the participants.

Here are the top Latin American sports people in 2003, according to the Prensa Latina poll.

Best Latin American sportswoman: Ana Gabriela Guevara (Mexico) 100 votes

Best Latin American sportsman: Félix Sánchez (D. Republic) 41

Best team: Cuban baseball 52

Top ten:

1- Jefferson Pérez (Ecuador-athletics) 79 votes

2- Erick Lopez (Cuba-gymnastics) 65

3- Ronaldo (Brazil-soccer) 64

4- Guillermo Coria (Argentina-tennis) 59

5- Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia-Formula One) 58

6- Yipsi Moreno (Cuba-athletics) 48

7- Mario kindelán (Cuba-boxing) 48

8- Emanuel Ginobili (Argentina-basketball) 46

9- Amarilis Savón (Cuba-judo) 44

10-Paola Suárez (Argentina-tennis) 43