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Sir Mo Farah and Roger Federer win top awards at 2017 BBC Sports Personality of the Year

It was Sir Mo Farah’s moment at last—and not before time, many might argue—to be crowned 2017’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year, after collecting six nominations in the last seven years.

His best result until now had been third in 2011, an extraordinary run of disappointment for a man who has so constantly earned gold for GB at the biggest events in athletics.

Even amid an embarrassment of sporting riches last year, with several multiple Olympic champions among the nominees, it was surprising to see Farah missing from the honours board come December’s showcase event. Yes, 13 of the 16 nominees had come back from Rio with Olympic or Paralympic gold medals—and some, Farah included, had more than one. Just as he had in 2012, Farah won both 5,000m and 10,000m golds.

No Olympics in 2017, of course, but that did not stop Farah adding more gold in his retirement year on the track. The one individual British gold medal at the World Athletics Championships came at the hands of Sir Mo, his third consecutive 10,000m gold, and he claimed silver in the 5,000m as well.

All in all, the 34-year-old has a strong claim to being the greatest long-distance runner in history, and is certainly the only man to have won what is now called the ‘quadruple-double’. He has won the long-distance double at successive Olympics and World Championships not once by twice.

Sadly, the packed Echo Arena in Liverpool was unable to hear his reaction—the video link to London broke at the crucial moment—but not before fans across the nation saw that now-familiar beam of a smile from Farah.

Congratulations, then, to one of the most deserving recipients of the BBC’s Award, and the first long-distance runner to win since Paula Radcliffe in 2002.

• Second: Jonathan Rea, motorcycling; first to win three successive World Superbike titles, and beat 15-year record for number of points scored in a season. His 16 wins in 2017 took career tally to 54, just five behind all-time record of Carl Fogarty.

• Third: Jonnie Peacock, Para-athletics; won the T44 100m for his second world title at World Para-athletics Championships in London. The two-time Paralympic champion also became the first disabled contestant in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

• Other nominees: Elise Christie, speed skating; Chris Froome, cycling; Lewis Hamilton, F1 motor racing; Anthony Joshua, boxing; Harry Kane, football; Johanna Konta, tennis; Adam Peaty, swimming; Anya Shrubsole, cricket; Bianca Walkden, taekwondo

Overseas Sports Personality of the Year

Roger Federer scored another first for tennis in the SPOTY Awards after Andy Murray bagged a record third overall title last year

Federer, who claimed a record eighth Wimbledon title this summer to take his tally of Major titles to another record of 19, won the Overseas trophy for a record fourth time, having won it for the first time in 2004. With Rafael Nadal’s success in 2010 and Novak Djokovic’s in 2011, tennis has claimed the overseas award more than any other sport.

Federer, who is already training at his Dubai base ahead of the defence of the Australian Open title in the New Year, said:

“It makes me incredibly proud that the UK public have chosen me as the Overseas Sports Personality of the Year. The support that the UK crowds give me whenever I’m here is amazing, and to be recognised on the shortlist alongside some of the greatest sportspeople of all time is extremely humbling.”

Federer emerged from a six-month absence and knee surgery in 2016 to win two Majors, three Masters, and challenge for the No1 ranking, despite missing the entire clay season and carrying a back injury during the US Open Series.

This is his fourth off-court award in 2017. He picked up three trophies at the ATP Awards, including a 15th Fans’ Favourite Award, his 13th Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award and his first Comeback Player of the Year Award. Last week, he was named Swiss Sportsman of the Year for the ninth time.

The other six awards

Young Sports Personality of the Year

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden, age 17, helped England win the U-17 World Cup and took the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player. He was on a final shortlist of three for the BBC award, with gymnast Ellie Downie and Para-skier Millie Knight.

Team of Year

England women’s cricketers won the 2017 World Cup, beating India by nine runs at Lord’s in July. Anya Shrubsole, named player of the match after taking five wickets in 19 balls, was also one of 12 nominees for the main Sports Personality award. England also drew the multi-format Women’s Ashes series in Australia.

Coach of Year

Benke Blomkvist, Stephen Maguire and Christian Malcolm helped GB’s men’s 4x100m team to World Championship gold in London this year. CJ Ujah, Adam Gemili, Danny Talbot and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake won Britain’s first world sprint relay gold.

Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity

Bradley Lowery, the Sunderland fan and club mascot, died aged six from a rare form of cancer, but the positive attitude and cheery smile that captured the nation’s heart earned him this emotional award. It was presented to his parents Gemma and Carl, who have set up a foundation in Bradley’s name.

Get Inspired Unsung Hero

Volunteer Denise Larrad, despite working night shifts in a warehouse, finds time to help lead walking, orienteering, running and general fitness classes for children, families and the elderly. After being chosen to carry the Olympic Torch at the 2012 Games for her fundraising work, the 55-year-old had one aim—to get the people of Hinckley in Leicestershire active. She is a trained walk leader, putting on weekly sessions for the elderly on behalf of the charity Age UK and also organises orienteering courses across the borough in town parks, woodlands and schools.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Former heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill retired in October 2016 as one of Britain’s most successful athletes. The 31-year-old won Olympic gold at London 2012, a silver at the Rio Games, and after having her first child in 2014, she won a second world title just 13 months later. She won her third World Championship gold earlier this year after Russia’s Tatyana Chernova was stripped of the 2011 title for doping.

The post Sir Mo Farah and Roger Federer win top awards at 2017 Bbc Sports Personality of the Year appeared first on The Sport Review.



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Sir Mo Farah and Roger Federer win top awards at 2017 BBC Sports Personality of the Year

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