James Stout insists his Male Athlete of Year triumph has not become tainted in his eyes despite receiving the honour in controversial circumstances.

The world racquets champion spoke to The Royal Gazette for the first time yesterday about his unexpected victory and said he felt "proud and lucky" to have been given the prestigious award.

Olympic swimmer Roy Allen Burch had been the nominating committee's first choice to win the annual accolade but their decision was overturned by under-fire Sports Minister Glenn Blakeney. Long jumper Tyrone Smith had been the committee's second choice with Stout in the third position.

"I just feel pleased and lucky to have won such a prestigious award," said Stout.

"To win the Male Athlete of the Year is a great honour for me and I feel very proud. It was a surprise but I know what I've achieved this year. I don't play racquets to gain recognition, I just go out there and do my best."

Stout declined to comment on Blakeney's decision to deny Burch the Male Athlete of the Year award in his favour.

"I'd rather not get involved in all that," he said. "As I said, I'm just happy to have won."

Although Blakeney's move left the nominating committee fuming, former professional squash player Nick Kyme has leapt to Stout's defence and declared him a worthy winner.

"I feel really bad for James, he will always be remembered as the guy who won the Male Athlete of Year award in such controversial circumstances," Kyme said.

"I think the athletes have been the real losers in all of this – it's blown up into something else now. People don't seem to realise how hard James worked to become World Champion and he's a worthy winner.

"He had to win the British and US Open to even challenge to become World Champion. It's difficult, I also know how hard Roy Allen Burch works and I kind of feel sorry for Kiera (Aitken), she seems to have been forgotten in all of this."

Kyme, who was Stout's squash doubles partner at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, said his close friend would probably struggle to understand the "commotion" caused by his surprise victory.

"The thing about James is he's such a humble guy and doesn't play sport to gain recognition. I doubt he even understands what the commotion is all about. He just loves playing."

Yesterday Stout, who works at the New York Racquets and Tennis Club, lost his US Open Championship title after retiring through injury midway through the fifth and final game, 8-7 down. Stout and Olympic swimmer Aitken were crowned Male and Female Athlete of the Year at City Hall last weekend.