Was it my reason?

My advise, stop focusing on the award. Don't worry about whether or not you get the award of excellence. Be happy that someone else receives the award of excellence. A good employee is a team player, not just focused on him or her self. Are you considerate towards others in the office? Do you support the other employees? Do you support your company? Are you willing to work with your boss? There is more to an award of excellence that just you doing your own work in an excellent way. There is team effort and team support. Perhaps, if you help others and co-operate with your boss, you will find that you will become even a better and more excellent employee and then, perhaps you will win the Award of Excellence. In the meantime, be happy towards the employee who did win the Award of Excellence.

It really sounds unfair on your side, all because you were hospitalized for nine days. Maybe you can ask for a reconsideration- if they can't change the decision at least they can give you a recognition for your hard works.

Sorry to hear you didn't get the award! It doesn't seem fair, obviously you can't control being ill and it could have happened to anyone, so I don't see how that was a valid reason to not consider you for the award. Perhaps they did it to discourage people from calling in sick when they're not, but still, it certainly doesn't seem fair.