Jonny Wilkinson, the man with the golden boots, was today (Thurs) named Sportsman of the Year by Britain's sports writers.
The man whose dropped goal in Sydney a couple of weeks ago won the Rugby World Cup for England, topped the annual poll conducted by the Sports Journalists' Association.
Wilkinson scored 113 points during the tournament, including 15 in the final against Australia. The Newcastle fly-half was already favourite for
the award, having made a major contribution to England's all-conquering team, which won the Grand Slam before scoring memorable victories over New Zealand and Australia in the Southern Hemisphere.
The England Rugby Union team were voted Team of the Year, while Paula Radcliffe retained her Sportswoman of the Year title. Radcliffe had another outstanding season on the roads, improving her own marathon world record in London and setting new world bests at 10km and 5km.
The awards, voted by the 500-strong membership of the SJA, were presented at a gala lunch at the Radisson Hotel, Portman Square, in London's West End.
The SJA made a number of special awards: Services to Sport Outside
Competition - England's World Cup-winning Rugby Union coach Clive Woodward.
Outstanding Achievement - Pippa Funnell, who completed the equestrian Grand
Slam of Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley;
Best International Newcomer - Everton striker Wayne Rooney, who became England's youngest goalscorer at 17 years and 317 days.
A special UK Sport Award went to athlete Darren Campbell, whose bronze and silver medals at the world championships completed a set of all four major championships.
The Disabled Sports Personality of the Year Award was won by Nicola
Tustain, a young rider who won three gold medals at the World Championships for Disabled Riders.
Sportsman of the Year: 1, Jonny Wilkinson; 2, Darren Campbell; 3, Ben
Ainslie; 4, James Gibson
Sportswoman of the Year: 1, Paula Radcliffe; 2, Katy Sexton; 3, Pippa
Funnell; 4, Nicola Cooke
Sports Team of the Year: 1, England Rugby Union; 2, GB Walker Cup; 3, GB world championships swimming team; 4, Cath Bishop and Katherine Grainger
For further information contact Sport England Events, 0207 273 1587, or
petta.naylor@sportengland.org
04.12.2003
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