funetics ambassador KJT wins at the Sporting Equals Awards 2023
The podium was dominated by England Athletics at the Sporting Equals Awards 2023 and Katarina Johnson-Thompson is one of five winners from athletics and running. Katarina Johnson-Thompson won the Peloton Sportswoman of the Year award.
The Sporting Equals Awards saw 500 people come together in central London to celebrate the achievements of ethnically diverse athletes, coaches, volunteers and communities.
Known as the MOBOs of sport, the awards shine a light on emerging stars as well as those already at the forefront of their disciplines.
The Sporting Equals Awards pay tribute to the work undertaken to tackle inactivity and underrepresentation of ethnically diverse communities.
The other four winners from our sport include:
Zharnel Hughes is the University of Leicester Sportsman of the Year.
In 2022 he won the European 200m title and in 2023 became the fastest British man in history, taking the 100m record from Linford Christie. In 2023 he also won the 100m bronze at the World Championships.
Ayesha Jones won the Youth Sport Trust Young Sportsperson of the Year award.
She has captured the attention of judges and the public alike with her phenomenal 2022 and 2023 seasons. She is the Commonwealth Youth Games champion and record holder for javelin, throwing an astronomical 52.29m.
Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker took the UK Sport Rising Star of the Year award.
Emmanuel debuted in the Commonwealth Games and won the T45/47 100m title. As well as setting the track ablaze he is an inspiration to schools in the Essex and London areas, doing regular visits and educating young people on the importance of physical activity. Emmanuel is an ambassador of the Personal Best Foundation, supported by England Athletics.
Leon Baptiste won the England Athletics Coach of the Year.
Leon has taken an innovative and inclusive approach to coaching. He has combined the athletes he coaches from both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines. His group of athletes have gone on to win medals around the world.
Other winners and finalists* outside of Athletics and Running include:
*finalists in brackets
• Sporting Equals Lifetime Achievement Award – Sol Campbell
• Yakinori Change Maker Award – Azeem Rafiq
• Bishop, Lloyd & Jackson Sports Organisation of the Year – Basketball England
• LTA Tennis Foundation Outstanding Contribution to Tennis Award – Nalette Tucker (Arum Akom, Carolle and Iman Tennis)
• Youth Sport Trust Young Sportsperson of the Year – (Desharne Bent-Ashmeil and Rowin Manjit Singh Leil Il)
• UK Sport Rising Star of the Year – (Issy Wong, Ziana Butt BEM)
• England Athletics Coach of the Year - (Darren Moore, Ruth Eytle)
"England Athletics is very proud and absolutely delighted to celebrate the achievements of these wonderfully talented individuals and role models. They all serve as an inspiration for others who aspire to follow their brilliant example, whatever their background, ability, or ambition."
Chris continued, "Athletics is amongst the most diverse and inclusive sports, and it is an aspect that we all celebrate and cherish at England Athletics, as we work together as a sector to tackle inequalities and barriers to participation where they exist, helping to improve physical and mental wellbeing at all levels. At its core, athletics embraces inclusivity, inspiration, integrity, and belonging – values that are represented brilliantly by these deserving winners."