Keslep scoops Sports Photo of the Year Award

Post Courier’s Simon Keslep won the 34th SP Sports Awards Sports Photo of the Year on Saturday night, 30 May 2026, at the Crown Hotel in Port Moresby.

Keslep, a senior sports reporter working for Post Courier, has been the face of sports journalism for over a decade. 

Not only is Keslep an exceptional sports reporter, but also a master behind the lens, taking captivating and breathtaking photos of the athletes.

Simon’s younger brother received the award on behalf of the recipient, who is currently in Sydney, Australia, attending a one-week NRL media tour alongside other PNG sports reporters.

“On behalf of Simon, I’m pleased to receive his award tonight,” Simon’s younger brother said after receiving the award. 

Keslep’s award-winning image captured a split-second clash of instinct and competition. A fielder in yellow is fully airborne, stretching for a crucial catch, while a runner in a red helmet and brown kit sprints toward the base, reacting to the unfolding play. Dust and motion heighten the tension between them.

The photograph reflects Keslep’s strength in anticipating peak sporting moments, freezing not just action but also consequences. It highlights pressure, decision-making, and determination, showing sports photography as the art of being in the right place at the right time to reveal human effort and emotion.