Emma Radocano wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year award but misses party after testing positive for Covid | UK news

[ad_1]

US Open winner Emma Radocano has won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 19-year-old from Bromley beat Olympic diver Tom Daley and swimming star Adam Peaty for second and third place in the overall vote.

Her impressive run as a qualifier to become the first British woman to win a major since 1977 has made her a strong contender.

Photo: The teenager caused a big surprise by winning the tournament as a qualifier

Raducanu delivered her speech out of self-isolation after she tested positive for COVID last week while in Abu Dhabi for the tournament.

“It is a great honor to be among those candidates,” she said.

“Thanks to all the fans and voters, this year has been crazy,” she added. “The energy with which I played this year at Wimbledon in front of my home crowd, I’ve never felt before.”

Photo: Tom Daly (left) came in second and Adam Petty third

The teenager’s victory at the US Open – in which she never lost a set – propelled her to fame and made her one of the sport’s most marketable stars.

She also had a fantastic run at Wimbledon but withdrew in the fourth round after struggling to breathe and feeling dizzy.

Boxer Tyson Fury, soccer player Raheem Sterling and the country’s most decorated Paralympian, Lady Sarah Storey, were on the sports personality shortlist.

Photo: Raducanu has become one of the biggest tennis stars in the world

The Salford party went without the usual studio audience of sports stars, with about 50 specially invited guests in attendance.

Other winners include Gareth Southgate and the England men’s soccer team, which won the Coach of the Year and Team of the Year award after reaching the Euro 2020 final.

Jockey Rachel Blackmore has been named Global Sports Star of the Year after becoming the first woman to win a Grand National title, while American gymnast Simone Biles took home the Lifetime Achievement Award.

[ad_2]