Olympic Heptathlete champion Jessica Ennis has been crowned the William Hill Sportswoman of the Year 2012.
After an extremely successful year for British sport, and the outstanding achievements of our female athletes at the London 2012 Games, Ennis has reached the hearts of the public, having been nominated for numerous sporting awards this year.
William Hill initiated their Sportswoman of the Year in 2011, when the BBC did not include a single female sportsperson in their shortlist of ten. Top jockey Hayley Turner landed the inaugural prize last year.
The winner for 2012 was decided by public vote, with the initial short-list determined by the 500,000 William Hill Facebook followers. The final vote was conducted online, with 45% of the votes going to Ennis.
“This award stands out from most of the others as it is purely down to the public to decide who is the best. It will be interesting now to see how Jessica does in the BBC Sports Personality later in the month.” said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.
The Shortlist (in no particular order):
Hannah Cockroft: Double Paralympic gold medallist Hannah Cockroft became the first Paralympic athlete to break a world record in the London Olympic stadium in the T34 100m.
Beth Tweddle: Having been at the top of British Gymnastics since she started in 2001 Beth secured an Olympic Bronze in the Uneven Bars event in London.
Jess Ennis: The London 2012 poster girl delivered in great style this summer winning a Gold medal in the Heptathlon in convincing fashion and is now considered a national treasure.
Hayley Turner: Reigning William Hill SWOTY champion Hayley Turner. She has won three Group One races at home and abroad and became only the second lady jockey to ride in the Derby.
Ellie Simmonds: The Paralympic swimmer has had a gloriously gold 2012. She retained her Olympic 400m freestyle gold, breaking a world record in the process, and did the same with the 200m, all at the age of 17.
Victoria Pendleton: Now strutting her stuff on Strictly Come Dancing the Olympic cyclist has had a good year in 2012, breaking a team sprint world record, and winning Gold in the Keirin.
Steph Houghton: Steph Houghton played a starring role for Team GB women’s football at London 2012. The left back scored in all three group games and was named left back of the tournament.
Laura Trott: The Essex born cyclist can add double Olympic Gold to her double World and European titles after a team pursuit Gold and Omnium Gold at London 2012 in a sensational year.
Sarah Storey: The former Paralympic swimmer racked up four gold medals in London 2012 in the Individual pursuit, Time Trial 500m, Road Time Trial and Road Race.
Laura Robson: Has had a magnificent 2012 and kick started the rejuvenation of women’s tennis in Britain. She won a silver medal at London 2012 partnering Andy Murray and became the first British woman since 1990 to reach a WTA tour final in the Guangzhou Open.
Bianca Fermi, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
