Boxer Joe Calzaghe wins BBC Sports Personality of The Year

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Boxer Joe Calzaghe wins BBC Sports Personality of The Year

 

Last updated at 08:49am on 10th December 2007 Comments

Boxer Joe Calzaghe was crowned the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year 2007 last night.

Motor-racing rookie Lewis Hamilton, who was the bookie's favourite and had been predicted to win the people's vote, finished in second place, while Ricky Hatton came third.

Calzaghe and Hatton were both presented with their awards by Lennox Lewis in Las Vegas, where Calzaghe had watched Hatton's Saturday night defeat against Floyd Mayweather.

 

Accepting the award, he said: "I am shocked. It's a terrific honour. I said I didn't care last year, I lied. I came fourth then.

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Boxer Joe Calzaghe wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year

 

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"I am very proud of it, it's a tremendous achievement. To get two boxers in the top three - wow!"

His father Enzo was also presented with the Coach of the Year award in recognition for in producing three world champions, including WBO, WBC and WBA World Champion, Joe.

The England Rugby Union team won Team of the Year for a great performance in this year's World Cup where they were runners-up to South Africa.

Television viewers voted for the winners during a two-hour live programme from Birmingham's NEC.

 

 

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Last year's winner Zara Phillips, accompanied by her boyfriend Mike Tindall, presented the awards

 

The trophies were presented by Steve Redgrave and last year's winner Zara Phillips in a dazzling purple dress.

 

 

The other contenders were tennis player Andy Murray, athletes Paula Radcliffe and Christine Ohuruogu, rugby players Jason Robinson and Jonny Wilkinson, golfer Justin Rose and superbike champion James Toseland.

Meanwhile diver Tom Daley was named the BBC Young Sports Personality of The Year.

 

 

Tennis duo Jamie Murray and Jelena Jankovic announced the result with 13-year-old Tom sending a message of acceptance from Canada, where he is competing.

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Karen Harding and Mark Ramprakash, reigning champions of Strictly Come Dancing, took to the dancefloor to entertain the viewers before the final 3 votes were announced

 

The youngster thanked the judges, his coach and his parents in a video message.

 

He said: "My goal is to get to the 2008 Olympics and win a gold medal in 2010 and make my country proud."

 

Tom beat off competition from table tennis player Paul Drinkhall and cricketer James Harris to win the category, which is awarded to a youngster who is under 17 on January 1 2007.

 

 

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Contender: New York Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe

 

Tom is Britain's youngest 10-metre platform champion. He is also a World Series finalist and a Youth Olympics silver medallist.

Other winners included Swiss tennis star Roger Federer who was crowned Overseas Personality of the Year.

 

Federer won three of this year's four Grand Slams, including Wimbledon and becomes the second person to win the overseas award three times, after Muhammad Ali.

 

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Enzo Calzaghe Enzo Calzaghe collects the Coach of the Year award

 

Enzo Calzaghe's son Joe (right, with friend Ricky Hatton) cheered on via video link from Las Vegas

 

 

The award was presented by Michael Johnson and Boris Becker, who accepted it in Federer's absence.

 

The second award of the evening, the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity, was presented to Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius.

 

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Runner up: Lewis Hamilton described Joe Calzaghe as a 'worthy winner'

 

Pistorius, known as the Blade Runner, is the double amputee world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres events.

Accepting the award from Lord Sebastian Coe, the 21-year-old South African said: "Thank you, this is a great honour. Thank you to everyone who has supported me."

 

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Sir Bobby Robson accepts the lifetime achievement award

 

The England rugby team was awarded the 2007 Team of the Year award, in recognition of their outstanding performances in reaching the final of the Rugby World Cup.

 

Accepting the award on behalf of the team, Martin Corry said: "A true roller-coaster of emotions is often used but it seems perfectly apt to describe our journey in the World Cup.

 

 

Ricky Hatton congratulates Joe Calzaghe on his win

 

"The over-riding memory of it all is the support we had both from the thousands of fans who made it out to France and those in the pubs and clubs in England. Thank you."

Meanwhile pensioner Margaret Simons was given the Unsung Hero Award.

 

The 85-year-old, who founded local Oxforshire football team Bardwell FC 43 years ago, impressed the judges with her commitment and enthusiasm.

 

Accepting the award from boxer Amir Khan and tennis star Tim Henman, she joked: "I am honoured to accept the award but I want the England coach's job."

Zara Phillips walks the red carpet, and stops to pick up a fallen item for a fan