– A $25,000 prize and a Sports Illustrated 3BRAND feature are up for grabs
At just 10 years old, Alexandre Wilson is already rewriting what it means to be a young athlete from the Caribbean. The 2024 BVI Under-9 MVP, karate standout, and competitive chess player has taken his talents global—this summer, earning MVP and Best Shooter accolades at elite soccer camps in the United Kingdom.
Now, he’s aiming even higher—as a nominee in the 2025 Youth Athlete of the Year competition, a national bracket-style contest presented by Russell Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation, Colossal, 3BRAND, and Sports Illustrated.
Currently in the UK attending high-level summer camps, Alexandre has already stood out among campers, racking up awards for Most Valuable Player and Best Shooter — a reflection of his relentless drive and discipline.
“I just want to keep improving,” he said in a recent telephone interview with JTV. “Whether I’m in Tortola, the US or UK, I want to give my best every place I show up.”
That drive has defined Alexandre’s journey. At home in the BVI, he dominated last season’s youth soccer league, playing nearly every position and leading an underdog team to the finals of the BDO U-9 Tournament. His leadership and heart on the pitch earned him the league’s MVP title—one of the proudest moments of his budding career.
But Alexandre isn’t just an athlete—he’s a student of discipline. A 1st Kyu brown belt in karate under the Purple Dragon system, he’s one rank away from black, and credits martial arts for sharpening his focus and teaching him humility.
“Karate helps me stay grounded. It’s not just about strength—it’s about respect, teamwork, and discipline,” he said. “I’ve actually been demoted twice because, at times, I stopped treating it as a lifestyle and became just a routine student. But it humbled me and taught me valuable lessons I’ll never forget.”
He laughed, a little embarrassed. “It was tough—but worth it.”
He also plays chess competitively—another arena where his strategic thinking and patience shine through.
“Chess teaches me to slow down and think. I use that when I play sports too.”
Alexandre draws deep inspiration from his older brother, Stephan Deleon, a standout in basketball, soccer and karate who blazed the trail he now follows.
“Stephan did everything well, and I’ve always wanted to be like him,” Alexandre said. “He inspires me to train harder, to focus, and to go after what I want.”
He chuckled, then added with a grin, “And secretly, I want to surpass his records.” The laugh lingered—but he clearly meant it.
Now, through the Youth Athlete of the Year competition, Alexandre’s story has the potential to reach a global audience. The initiative, which awards a $25,000 grand prize and a feature in Sports Illustrated’s 3BRAND campaign, is designed to spotlight youth who embody excellence on and off the field.
Voting is now live at AthleteOfTheYear.org, where supporters can cast one vote per day as athletes move through bracket-style rounds toward the finals.
🗳 TO VOTE FOR ALEXANDRE:
Visit https://athleteoftheyear.org/2025/alexandre-a75b and vote once daily. Voting is open now.
