Hodgkinson wins much-coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Last night saw Keely Hodgkinson take home the much-coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) award. The ceremony was aired on BBC One and hosted by Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, and Clare Balding. The winner of the SPOTY is decided by public vote with Hodgkinson being the odds-on favourite to take home the award following her incredible performance at the Paris Olympics.

At the Games this summer, Hodgkinson won gold in the 800m. Four years into her senior career, Hodgkinson’s four silver medals saw her determined to achieve that elusive first place and sprint clear of her competition in Paris. At these Olympics, Hodgkinson was one of  Team GB’s brightest sparks as she won their first Olympic track title since Mo Farah in 2016.

On the night, Hodgkinson mentioned her belief that she is “pretty close” to the 800m world record and is “excited to push on” with the record being something that she always has in “the back of” her “head”. She also emphasised the trust she has in her coaches, Trever Painter and Jenny Meadows, who she thanked in her acceptance speech. Painter and Meadows picked up the Coach of the Year award at the ceremony.

By taking home the award, Hodgkinson made history as she became the fourth consecutive female winner of Sports Personality of the Year

By taking home the award, Hodgkinson made history as she became the fourth consecutive female winner of SPOTY. She follows, Emma Raducanu, Beth Mead and Mary Earps.

Joining Hodgkinson on the SPOTY shortlist was Jude Bellingham, Luke Littler, Joe Root, Sarah Storey, and Alex Yee.

Three Lions midfielder Jude Bellingham contributed 23 goals to Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League double, in a debut season at the Bernabeu that saw him finish third in the prestigious Ballon d’Or. Bellingham was looking to become the third footballer in a row to win the award after Lionesses Mary Earps and Beth Mead won the award in 2023 and 2022 respectively.

Forty-seven-year-old para-cyclist and swimmer Sarah Storey is the oldest nominee

Seventeen-year-old darts player Luke Littler was the youngest nominee. He was catapulted to fame during his “fairytale run” to the PDC World Championship final in January, ranked 164th and just sixteen-years-old. He has since won ten trophies and became the youngest winner of a PDC major after victory in the Premier League Darts final against Luke Humphries in May. Littler hit a nine-darter to win the 11th leg, becoming the second player to do so on this stage after Phil Taylor.

Cricketer Joe Root became England’s record Test run scorer in October, on his way to a career-best score of 262 against Pakistan. He broke further records this year, including England’s record partnership of 454 with Harry Brook and the record for the most Test centuries by an Englishman with his 34th during August’s second Test against Sri Lanka.

Forty-seven-year-old para-cyclist and swimmer Sarah Storey was the oldest nominee. With two golds at the Paris Games, Storey now boasts a record-extending 30 Paralympic medals (19 gold). Victory at the C4-C5 road race and C5 road time trial in Paris, followed by victory in the same races at the Road and Para-cycling World Championships, increased her world golds to 39.

Hodgkinson is the odds-on favourite to take home the award, with Littler also in strong contention

Triathlete Alex Yee became both Olympic and world champion this year. 14 seconds behind in the last lap of the men’s Olympic triathlon, Yee stormed his way to Gold in breath-taking fashion ahead of Hayden Wilde. His first career world title came after bronze and silver medals in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski said: “It’s a fantastic shortlist. [They’ve] kept us on the edge of our seats, […] I’m looking forward to reliving each of their successes on the night.”

Young SPOTY was also announced on the night. Littler took home this award with skateboarder Sky Brown, and Para-swimmer William Ellard on the shortlist. The longlist for this award included Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri and snowboarder Mia Brookes, last year’s winner.

The evening was a fabulous celebration of the sporting achievements that have occurred over the last year with athletes, coaches, and teams being recognised. The ceremony allowed fans to look back on some incredible moments and sparked excitement for what lies ahead in the coming year.