Melbourne, November 15 : Triple Olympic champion Stephanie Rice has won Queensland's top award for sportswomen.

She won the award from five finalists, namely Olympic champions Libby Trickett and Emma Snowsill, Games silver medallists Sally McLellan and Anna Meares and Australian surf life-saving team captain Kristy Munroe.

The Mazda-Courier-Mail Queensland Sportswoman of the Year presentation took place at a Brisbane hotel.

Rice has attended several award functions and promotional events since her return from Beijing, but she is training hard to ensure that she wins world championship gold medals next year.

"Steph's the type of person who wants to keep the ball rolling when she's swimming well. She's back into it now and I believe her best is still ahead of her," Courier Mail quoted her coach Michael Bohl as saying.

Bohl revealed that Rice would participate in some events at next month's Queensland titles.

ANI