It's come to that time of year again, the last weekend before Christmas and that means two things; it's time for last minute Christmas shopping and it's time for Sports Personality of the Year.
This year, it will be held in Birmingham, at the LG Arena, with Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Jake Humphrey presenting the show, on BBC1, 7pm, tonight.
It is, without doubt, the night of the year for Sports staff and personnel to come together and celebrate achievements.
Last year was Ryan Giggs' year after a successful football career which has seen him score in every Premier League season since it began. He is the only name to do so.
Credit; here
Well, who are the contenders for the 2010 award to recognise individual sporting achievement?
The first candidate is Mark Cavendish, who won 5 stages of the Tour De France, the greatest cycling race in the World.
Despite this, the green jersey still eludes the 25 year old, who was nominated for the award last year and came fourth.
The last cyclist to win Sports Personality was Chris Hoy in 2008 and I can't see him being a leading runner, despite success in a points race in Spain in September.
The next person to reach the short-list was Tom Daley. The diver, who is still only 16, won two gold medals at the Commonwealth games in Delhi, including an individual 10m platform final win.
Notably, he won the Young Sports Personality of the year last time out.
He was also nominated for the senior award last year but, with 2012 looming, you wonder whether that might be the time when the British public realise how special this Plymouth-born teenager will be, and it's still early days for potentially a special talent.
Number three on tonight's list is Jessica Ennis. She is one of only two girls to make the list but deserves her place after a year which saw her win European Heptathlon gold in Barcelona.
Jessica Ennis will be hoping she can be the pride of Britain tonight.
Credit; here
Notably, he won the Young Sports Personality of the year last time out.
He was also nominated for the senior award last year but, with 2012 looming, you wonder whether that might be the time when the British public realise how special this Plymouth-born teenager will be, and it's still early days for potentially a special talent.
Number three on tonight's list is Jessica Ennis. She is one of only two girls to make the list but deserves her place after a year which saw her win European Heptathlon gold in Barcelona.
Jessica Ennis will be hoping she can be the pride of Britain tonight.
Credit; here
Not only that but she won the Pentathlon event in Doha in March to prove her versatility.
Notably, she beat Mark Cavendish to third in 2009, but that was held in her home city.
She may be an outside contender, but no girl has won the event since Zara Phillips in 2006. Maybe it could happen.
And the next contender is no pushover neither. David Haye has really sprung onto the scene this year with two successful defences of his world heavyweight title, including defeating Audley Harrison inside three rounds last month.
Notably, she beat Mark Cavendish to third in 2009, but that was held in her home city.
She may be an outside contender, but no girl has won the event since Zara Phillips in 2006. Maybe it could happen.
And the next contender is no pushover neither. David Haye has really sprung onto the scene this year with two successful defences of his world heavyweight title, including defeating Audley Harrison inside three rounds last month.
The boxer was criticised for choosing not to fight the Kitschko brothers, but he is expected to do before his set retirement next year.
For me, it's his last chance at getting the award and is, again, deserved of his place, but I doubt he'll make the top three.
For every Sports personality show, there is always the people's favourite, and that has to be AP McCoy.
AP McCoy finally managed to win the Grand National on Don't Push It this year, but is it his year to win Sports Personality of the year?
Credit; here
For me, it's his last chance at getting the award and is, again, deserved of his place, but I doubt he'll make the top three.
For every Sports personality show, there is always the people's favourite, and that has to be AP McCoy.
AP McCoy finally managed to win the Grand National on Don't Push It this year, but is it his year to win Sports Personality of the year?
Credit; here
The only thing which was seemingly missing from his CV was a Grand National win and that came in April for the 15 time straight champion jockey.
No jockey has ever won the award but could we think of a more deserved winner?
I think McCoy may well be up in front, as he usually is on a horse, tonight, and if anyone is going to stop him, they will be the Sports Personality of the year.
Next may well be his title rival. Graeme McDowell has had one of the best year's a golfer could wish for.
Graeme McDowell could well have a trophy in those aloft hands tonight.
Credit; here
No jockey has ever won the award but could we think of a more deserved winner?
I think McCoy may well be up in front, as he usually is on a horse, tonight, and if anyone is going to stop him, they will be the Sports Personality of the year.
Next may well be his title rival. Graeme McDowell has had one of the best year's a golfer could wish for.
Graeme McDowell could well have a trophy in those aloft hands tonight.
Credit; here
Not only did he secure victory at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters in October, but he also won the final singles match to secure the Ryder Cup for Europe.
He also won the US Open to secure his place in the top 10 golfers in the world and will be one of the favourites heading into tonight.
If he wins, it's sure to be another popular choice.
Graeme Swann might not be there to represent himself at the awards tonight, but his 2009 was nothing short of a success.
Credit; here
The permanent addition to England's test squad, 31, took his first 10 wicket haul in a test match, against Bangladesh, and took two 5 wicket lots against Pakistan.
Swann was named ECB cricketer of the year and, if there had been an Ashes triumph to cap it off, he might have had a real chance, but instead he might have to take a minor placing tonight behind the previous two sportsmen.
Andrew Flintoff was the last cricketer to win the award in 2005, but last night's loss to Australia in the third Ashes test might have hindered his chances.
I believe a more likely winner might be Phil Taylor. Nicknamed 'The Power', Taylor has had a sublime year, winning six major titles, including the World Championship, Premier League and World Matchplay crowns.
Credit; here
Swann was named ECB cricketer of the year and, if there had been an Ashes triumph to cap it off, he might have had a real chance, but instead he might have to take a minor placing tonight behind the previous two sportsmen.
Andrew Flintoff was the last cricketer to win the award in 2005, but last night's loss to Australia in the third Ashes test might have hindered his chances.
I believe a more likely winner might be Phil Taylor. Nicknamed 'The Power', Taylor has had a sublime year, winning six major titles, including the World Championship, Premier League and World Matchplay crowns.
Credit; here
Darts has become more popular in the sporting world, and The Power kept fans entertained by firing two 9 dart finishes on his way to securing a fifth Premier League title in May.
The 50 year old has been at the top of his profession for some time, but no darts player has ever won the Sports Personality of the year title.
He likes a challenge and I think he's in with a decent shout.
Lee Westwood is another golfer who makes the list, but he is no ordinary golfer.
Can the World's number one golfer win votes from the British public?
Credit; here.
Lee Westwood is another golfer who makes the list, but he is no ordinary golfer.
Can the World's number one golfer win votes from the British public?
Credit; here.
The Englishman became the world's number one golfer in October, taking over from Tiger Woods after a 291 week reign at the top from the American.
Westwood had a crucial role in the Ryder Cup win for Europe and, in such a tight competition, it would not be a surprise to see him victorious, although I think there are more likely candidates.
The final top 10 candidate is Amy Williams, who most people might not necessarily have heard of.
Skeleton runners aren't usually given the credit they deserve for a heart-in-mouth run.
Credit; here
Westwood had a crucial role in the Ryder Cup win for Europe and, in such a tight competition, it would not be a surprise to see him victorious, although I think there are more likely candidates.
The final top 10 candidate is Amy Williams, who most people might not necessarily have heard of.
Skeleton runners aren't usually given the credit they deserve for a heart-in-mouth run.
Credit; here
She won the woman's skeleton run at the Winter Olympics, despite having no practice track in England.
Miss Williams received an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list, but I wouldn't be expecting her to challenge tonight. Maybe her time will come again.
Miss Williams received an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list, but I wouldn't be expecting her to challenge tonight. Maybe her time will come again.
One thing we do know tonight is that David Beckham will receive the lifetime achievement, and be the youngest ever recipient, something confirmed by the official twitter of the Sports Personality of the Year.
Whoever wins tonight will be a worthy winner, and my predictions are;
1st: AP McCoy
2nd: Graeme McDowell
3rd: Phil Taylor.
Disagree with the choices? Feel free to discuss below.
No comments:
Post a Comment