After a busy sporting year including a home Commonwealth Games, Winter Olympics, Women’s Rugby World Cup and Men’s Football World Cup, it was also a successful one.
There were wins in T20 Cricket World Cup, wheelchair Rugby League World Cup and it was also the year it finally came home, with a win in Euro 2022 for Englands Lionesses.
The awards show is presented by Clare Balding, Gabby Logan, Gary Lineker and Alex Scott and consists of eight different categories.
Prior to the event tonight, two awards have already been handed out, with Usain Bolt taking home the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ and Lionel Messi taking home ‘World Sport Star of the Year’ after Argentina’s success in Qatar.
There has also been an announcement of the final three in contention for Young Sports Personality of the Year; diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, skateboarder and last years winner Sky Brown and gymnast Jessica Gadirova.
One of the awards handed out on the night celebrates the people in communities who go above and beyond and receive little recognition for doing so. Having needed to be put forward as a nominee by the public, the Unsung Hero award is a real celebration of community work and efforts.
Some of the nominees for the award this year include Anna Pim, for her work providing CPR and defibrillator training and education to Under-13 hockey teams in Northern Ireland and Becca Todd, who set up a fully inclusive football team aimed at women and girls in Bristol; Team Brave.
After winning Britains first all round medal at the European Championships in November, Jessica Gadirova is also up for the young version of this award. Overall this year, the gymnast won 3 World Championship medals and 2 European Medals.
Lioness Beth Mead is also in contention for the main award. Within the last 12 months she has won and placed in an array of awards from England and Arsenal Women’s player of the year to coming second in the Ballon d’Or. Part of the winning England squad at Euro 2022, Mead not only brought football home but the Golden Boot, Golden Ball and a couple player of the match awards.
After success in Beijing, Eve Muirhead became Scotlands most decorated curler. At her fourth time of asking, Muirhead achieved the elusive title. She also claimed the Mixed Doubles title previous to this with fellow Scot Bobby Lammie.
Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed his Seventh snooker World Title and broke Stephen Henry’s 23 year-old record in the process. He also become the oldest World Champion in history overtaking Ray Reardon, at the age of 46. This is his 39th ranking title, after also winning Champions and Champions and Hong Kong Masters this calendar year.
Winning the title in 2019, Ben Stokes was a key player in England victory against Pakistan in T20 World Cup final. Going into the tournament with a bad run of results – one win in their last 17 Tests – England claimed nine victories out of 10 and left on a resoundingly better form.
Being the first British man to claim 1500m world title since Steve Cram in 1983, Jake Wightman is last in contention for the award. He produced a wonderful final performance, bursting past Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen. In a touching moment, Wightman was called home by his father, who was the stadium’s announcement.
The Results
Lifetime Achievement – Usain Bolt
World Sport Star of the Year – Lionel Messi
Helen Rollason – Rob Burrow
Young Sports Personality of the Year – Jessica Gadirova
Unsung Hero – Mike Allden
Coach of the Year – Sarina Weigman
Team of the Year – England Women Football
Sports Personality of The Year – Beth Mead