Cockroft and Court honoured by Sunday Times
Hannah Cockroft and Clova Court have been named Sunday Times Disability Sportswoman of the Year and Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year for 2021, respectively.
Hannah enjoyed another sensational Paralympics this summer in Tokyo as she won two more gold medals in the 100m and 800m to add to an ever-growing haul of honours in a glittering career.
They were Hannah’s sixth and seventh Olympic titles to date, making her one of the most successful wheelchair racers ever.
“It’s a massive privilege to be recognised in a year that’s been so strong for women’s sport and disability sport in general,” said Hannah. “It was such a strong Paralympic Games for the women in the team so to come out at the top of that is absolutely incredible because I definitely wasn’t the winner on that list in my head. I’m so massively thankful to the people who voted for me and supported me and recognised what happened in Tokyo because it was a history-making Games.”
Clova has been an inspiration for more than two decades, firstly as an international athlete for Great Britain and now a grassroots coach working with rising track and field stars at the Tipton Sports Academy.
“This is amazing,” said Clova. “I never imagined something like this would happen. I do the coaching on the basis that I have the ups and downs with them, it makes everything worthwhile to see young people progress in life. I love everything about coaching, I see the tears, the happiness, and see when they are just in their element.”
Lorna Boothe, England Athletics Board director and double Olympian, said: “A fantastic award for Hannah in recognition of her hard work, determination and achievements. Congratulations to Clova, well deserved. She is not only a great role model to our grassroot athletes but also gives them encouragement and support.”
Rebecca Myers, Sunday Times journalist and lead reporter for the Sportswomen of the Year awards, said: “Congratulations to all our winners in what has been a ground-breaking year for women's sport. These awards also recognise that sport and exercise is important for the physical and mental health of millions of women, and we congratulate our grassroots winner Clova Court for her work in this area.”
The full list of Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year award winners for 2021:
- Emma Raducanu, Sportswoman of the Year
- Bethany Shriever, Young Sportswoman of the Year
- Hannah Cockroft, Disability Sportswoman of the Year
- Ellie Simmonds, Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration
- Clova Court, Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year
- Rachael Blackmore, Editor's Choice
Previous winners of the main award include Dina Asher-Smith, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sally Gunnell, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Denise Lewis, Dame Kelly Holmes, and Christine Ohuruogu.