Home
General

SPOTY 2016: Who made the shortlist, part 3

Tom Dodd
Tennis

 

Embed from Getty Images

By Thomas Dodd

  • Shortlist announced for 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year
  • 16 contenders drawn up after decision by panel of Sports Journalism/Media experts
  • Andy Murray won 2015 crown after guiding Great Britain to Davis Cup glory
LONDON, ENGLAND – It is almost time for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2016, and in an Olympic year there are 16 worthy candidates – we take a look at the four of them.

 

CLICK TO BUY SPORTS TICKETS


Andy Murray – Tennis

Embed from Getty Images

Age: 29
SPOTY History: WINNER 2015/2013, 3rd 2012, 5th 2011, 7th 2009, 6th 2008, 8th 2007, nominated 2005/2006. Young Sports Personality WINNER 2004

A win at Wimbledon, nine titles including five straight at the end of the year, another Olympic Gold medal and two other Grand Slam Final appearances too. Anything else? Oh yeah, he’s now number one in the world as well. There wasn’t much Andy Murray didn’t achieve in 2016, capitalising on a slight slump in the form of Novak Djokovic to sweep all before him in the closing months of the season. The bookies favourite for an unprecedented third SPOTY title.

 

Adam Peaty – Swimming

Embed from Getty Images

Age: 21
SPOTY History: 11th 2015, 10th 2014

The young man from Derby won the first Olympic Gold in the pool by a male GB athlete in 28 years in Rio, annihilating his own 100m breaststroke record in the process. Furthermore, Peaty was part of the relay team which claimed silver in the 4x100m Medley behind team USA. Peaty’s split for the team event was even faster than his individual world record.

 

Kate Richardson-Walsh – Hockey

Embed from Getty Images

Age: 36
SPOTY History: First-time nominee

Richardson-Walsh stepped down as England and GB captain following 13 years of service and 375 games. She saved her best until last, however, leading team GB to a maiden Olympic Hockey Gold in Rio following a dramatic final against the Netherlands. Her wife Helen was also among the team, as the pair become the first same sex couple to win an Olympic title in the same final.

 

Nick Skelton – Equestrian

Embed from Getty Images

Age: 58
SPOTY History: First-time nominee

Good things come to those who wait. And nobody waited longer for an Olympic Gold than Skelton, who finally reached the top step of the podium in Rio after seven attempts. The rider from Warwick prevailed on his horse Big Star after a six man sudden-death jump off. All of this after retiring 16 years ago following a fall which broke his neck in two places.

 

Check out our other guides here:

 

Vote in our Poll

[polldaddy poll=”9606505″]

 

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year will take place on 18 December