10/12/2007
Joe Calzaghe has been voted BBC 2007 Sports Personality Of The Year by viewers. Voting took place during the live programme on Sunday 9th December on BBC One between 7 and 9pm, by telephone.
Calzaghe was presented with the prestigious silver TV camera and tripod trophy by former Sports Personality award-winner, Lennox Lewis in Las Vegas, where he had been watching Ricky Hatton's fight with Floyd Mayweather the previous night.
The live event, supported by Robinsons, was held at Birmingham's NEC for the second time and was a sell-out with an audience of almost 8,000, including 5,000 members of the public – nearly double the number from last year.
In second place was Formula One driver, Lewis Hamilton and boxer Ricky Hatton came third. The three winners beat off competition from tennis star Andy Murray, athletes Christine Ohuruogu and Paula Radcliffe, England Rugby Union players Jason Robinson and Jonny Wilkinson, golfer Justin Rose and World Superbike champion James Toseland – who were all in the top ten shortlist of nominees going into the show.
Roger Federer won Overseas Personality of the Year. Federer won three of this year's four Grand Slams, including Wimbledon, and becomes only the second person to win the Overseas Award three times, after Muhammad Ali. The award was presented by Michael Johnson and Boris Becker. Becker also accepted the award in Roger's absence.
The Team of the Year award was won by the England Rugby Union Team. They won it in recognition of their great performances in reaching the final of the Rugby World Cup, which they lost 15-6 to South Africa.
Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted to present the Lifetime Achievement award to Sir Bobby Robson for his contribution to football. Sir Bobby has been involved in the game for six decades and since starting at Fulham in 1950 as an inside forward he has had an incredible career both as player and a manager. He represented England 20 times (scoring four goals) and went on to famously manage Ipswich Town, Barcelona, Porto, PSV Eindhoven, Newcastle United and, of course, England.
Des Lynam and Dame Ellen MacArthur presented the Coach of the Year award to boxing trainer Enzo Calzaghe. Won in recognition of being one of the greatest trainers in the world of boxing and his outstanding success in producing three world champions, one of course being his son, WBO, WBC and WBA World Champion, Joe.
Lord Sebastian Coe presented the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity to Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius. Pistorius, known as the "Blade Runner", is the double amputee world-record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres events.
Diver Tom Daley was named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year. Jamie Murray and Jelena Jankovic announced the result with Tom sending a message of acceptance as he is competing in Canada. The 13-year-old beat Paul Drinkhall and James Harris to win the category awarded to a youngster of great talent who is under 17 years of age on 1 January 2007. Tom is one of British sport's hottest properties. He competes against the world's elite and is already Britain's youngest 10-metre platform champion. He is also a World Series finalist and a Youth Olympics silver medallist.
The Unsung Hero Award, supported by Robinsons, was presented by Tim Henman and Amir Khan, and honours an individual who has given their time and talents for free to enable others to participate in sport.
Margaret Simons, 85, won this award by impressing the judges with her commitment and enthusiasm for her local football club, Bardwell FC, which she founded 43 years ago.
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