THE shortlist for the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year has been announced, marking out potential future stars in the world of sport. All of the nominees have had an extremely successful 2015.
Two gymnasts have made the list. First up is 18-year-old Brinn Bevan, who was part of the men’s team who won silver at the World Championships this year, as well as winning bronze on the pommel horse at the European Games. Fellow gymnast Ellie Downie has also been nominated. Following in the footsteps of her sister Becky, a Team GB Olympian, Ellie won bronze in the all-around at the European Championships and team bronze at the World Championships.
There are also two athletes from para-sport. 18-year-old Sophie Hahn, who has cerebral palsy, can be seen as a product of the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics, with the successful Paralympic Games inspiring her to take up athletics. Within a year she had won her first world title, and this year won two gold medals at the IPC World Championships that have just taken place in Doha. Tully Kearney, also 18, competed in seven para-swimming competitions this year. She was also extremely successful at the IPC World Swimming Championships, winning four golds, one silver and one bronze.
Onto cricket and Sam Curran, who at the age of 17 plays for Surrey CCC’s first team and is the youngest player to take five wickets on his debut. Fellow 17-year-old jockey Tom Marquand is also on the shortlist. He had 54 wins in his first season, and won the Champion Apprentice title.
Matthew Lee will be hoping to win YSPOTY just as his fellow diver Tom Daley did. 17-years-old and from Leeds, Lee won gold in the 10m individual at the European Games, and won a number of other medals in domestic competitions.
18-year-old Morgan Lake is tipped to be a star in athletics, and she’s already European Junior Champion in the high jump. She is currently the third best high jumper in Britain, ahead of Jessica Ennis-Hill.
Freestyle skier Molly Summerhayes also makes the list, having secured the title of Junior World Halfpipe Champion.
Last but not least is Rebekah Tiler, a 16-year-old weightlifter. She has a wealth of medals to her name, winning gold at 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa, gold at the European Youth Championships, silver at the European Junior Championships and silver at the IWF Youth World Championships.
With a host of famous names having previously won Young Sports Personality of the Year, the nominees will all be hoping to join them and top off their successful years in the best way possible. The winner will be announced on Sunday 20th November.
Nancy Gillen
Featured image: The Independent