Skip to content

Dina Asher-Smith on Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year shortlist

31st year of the awards has seen a new generation of stars emerge

Sportswomen of the Year 2018
Image: The shortlist is out for the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year 2018

Sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and golfer Georgia Hall are among the six women shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year.

As well as sprint star Asher-Smith and Women's British Open winner Hall, this year's shortlist includes Lizzie Yarnold (Skeleton), Katie Archibald (Track cycling), Rachel Atherton (Mountain biking), and Vicky Holland (Triathlon). Georgia Hall is also shortlisted in the Young Sportswoman of the Year category.

Dina Asher-Smith won three gold medals at the Athletics World Championships in Berlin
Image: Dina Asher-Smith won three golds at the Athletics World Championships in Berlin

The awards - which are in their 31st year - aim to celebrate the outstanding contributions of athletes, coaches, community volunteers and inspirational women to their respective sports.

Georgia Hall celebrates her first major at the British Womens Open  at  Lythan St Annes
Image: Women's British Open winner Georgia Hall is also on the shortlist for Young Sportswoman of the Year

Previous winners of the prestigious award include Laura Kenny, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sally Gunnell, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Denise Lewis and Christine Ohuruogu. Elise Christie, the world champion short-track speed skater, was 2017 Sportswoman of the Year.

In August Dina Asher-Smith became the first British woman to claim three gold medals in the 100 meters, 200m and the 4x100m relay final at the European Championships. Georgia Hall leads the Ladies European Tour order of merit after a year which saw her secure three top 10 finishes, including a first major win at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

Lizzy Yarnold made history at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang
Image: Lizzie Yarnold made history at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang

Lizzie Yarnold made history in Pyeongchang in February when her victory in the women's skeleton made her the first British athlete to defend a Winter Olympic title. A dominant year on the track saw Scotland's Katie Archibald win gold and silver medals at both the world championships and the Commonwealth Games.

Rachel Atherton won her fifth elite women's gold in the downhill event at the 2018 Mountain Bike World Championships in Switzerland, just weeks after claiming a record sixth World Cup title. Vicky Holland considered retirement after taking bronze in Rio but found "extra motivation" in 2018 to become only the third British woman to take the triathlon world crown.

Also See:

during Netball on day 11 of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Coomera Indoor Sports Centre on April 15, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia.
Image: The England netball team are nominated for Team of the Year

Other awards at the ceremony on November 1 will go to the Young Sportswoman of the Year, Team of the Year and the Disability Sportswoman of the Year as well as The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Grassroots Award will also be announced, which will honour an individual who has actively engaged different groups of people within their community through sport. To vote for your favourite grassroots candidate, please visit: http://sportswomenoftheyear.co.uk

The Sky Sports Sportswomen show and Facebook page will build up to the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year until it's awards night on November 1.

Here are the shortlists in full:


SUNDAY TIMES SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Katie Archibald (Track cycling), Rachel Atherton (Mountain biking), Dina Asher-Smith (Athletics), Georgia Hall (Golf), Vicky Holland (Triathlon), Lizzy Yarnold (Skeleton)


YOUNG SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Georgia Hall (Golf), Izzy Atkin (Slopestyle skiing), Seonaid McIntosh (Shooting), Grace Reid (Diving)


TEAM OF THE YEAR

4x100m athletics relay squad, England netball squad, Chelsea Ladies, GB wheelchair basketball team


DISABILITY SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Hollie Arnold (Athletics), Menna Fitzpatrick (plus guide Jennifer Kehoe) (Alpine skiing), Sophie Hahn (Athletics), Alice Tai (Swimming), Sophie Thornhill (plus pilot Helen Scott) (Track cycling)


GRASSROOTS AWARD

Stacey Copeland (Boxing), Pat Mathie (Gymnastics), Alex Paske (General sports), Danielle Robertson (Surfing)

Around Sky