Tennis sensation Emma Raducanu headlines the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The 19-year-old US Open champion is the outstanding candidate to win the title after her fantastic performances to defy all odds. Raducanu, whose stunning victory at Flushing Meadows in September saw her become Britain’s first female Grand Slam singles champion since 1977, is the odds-on favourite to claim the award after her phenomenal breakout year.
But Lewis Hamilton was left out, despite seeing the Formula One world title slip away in dramatic fashion. Hamilton, who won the award for the second time only 12 months ago, misses out on the six-person shortlist after he was denied a record eight world title by Max Verstappen in a remarkable conclusion to Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has made the six-person shortlist, despite threatening legal action against the BBC if he was included, along with Tom Daley, Adam Peaty, Raheem Sterling and Dame Sarah Storey.
Daley, who finally ended his long wait for an Olympic gold medal with 10m platform synchro glory alongside Matty Lee, is also nominated, along with swimmer Peaty, who defended his 100m breaststroke title in Tokyo before adding a second gold in the inaugural 4x100m mixed medley relay.
Para-cyclist Storey is another recognised for her performances in Tokyo, the 44-year-old’s three gold medals in Japan taking her career tally to 17 and making her Britain’s most successful Paralympian of all-time.
Sterling, England’s star man during their run to this summer’s Euro 2020 final, is nominated for the award for the first time, with Fury, who beat Deontay Wilder in the third fight of the pair’s epic trilogy, completing the list.
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