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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
James Quinlan

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022 nominees revealed

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022 award will be presented at Salford's Media City this evening, with the six names in contention announced earlier this week.

It is an event designed to commemorate the successes of Great British athletes and sports teams, held annually around Christmastime at the channel's headquarters. This will be the 69th presentation of the award, which began in 1954.

Adding to the feel-good factor for the athlete who manages to take home the prize is also the fact it will the first time a live studio audience have been allowed to experience the show since 2019. Here, the Manchester Evening News provides the key details of who is nominated and what each athlete has achieved this calendar year in order to be up for the award.

Jessica Gadirova

The young gymnast had a majorly successful 2022. Gadirova claimed three medals at the World Championships in Liverpool, including floor gold on the final day of the competition, as well as two medals at the European Championships.

The 18-year-old is also up for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award tonight, against skateboarder Sky Brown and diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix.

Beth Mead

Football finally came home this year, and one reason for that was Mead's stellar performances for the Lionesses during their Euro 2022 triumph this summer. The Arsenal forward claimed the Golden Boot and was also named Player of the Tournament.

She finished runner-up to Barcelona's Alexia Putellas in the Ballon d'Or Féminin in October, and as favourite will be aiming to go one better for this prize tonight.

Eve Muirhead

So much has happened in the world of sport this year, but one success all the way back in February stands as one of the most poignant. Great Britain's Women's curling team rose above the rest of the world to take the gold medal for only the second time ever, whilst the Men's team took silver.

As the skip of the team, Muirhead was an inspiration for so many to try out curling across the country in the immediate aftermath of the victory, before ending her dazzling career on a high.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

2022 was a record-breaking year for O'Sullivan, rightfully earning his spot on the BBC's shortlist for this award.

By winning the Snooker World Championship for the seventh time in his career, 'The Rocket' equalled Stephen Hendry's record for the most titles held by a player, and also became the oldest to do so at 46.

Ben Stokes

Stokes will be hoping to get his hands on this trophy for the second time in his career, after winning the award back in 2019.

The New Zealand-born all-rounder has transformed the Test team in his role as captain, leading England to series victories against South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan. Stokes also played an integral role during an exciting T20 campaign for England, which culminated in victory over Pakistan in the World Cup final in Melbourne last month.

Jake Wightman

The Scot showed fantastic endurance to take gold in the 1500m during the Athletics World Championships in Oregon this year. Doing so made him the first Brit to win the world title since Steve Cram in 1983.

On top of that, Wightman also claimed 800m silver at the European Championships and 1500m bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Viewers will be able to vote for their choice for the award via phone or online on the BBC's site during the show.

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