The shortlists of finalists for the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year 2017 have been confirmed – with two elite athletes from Loughborough College in line for prestigious accolades.
In the Awards’ 30th year, short-track speed skater and alumna Elise Christie has been named amongst the top six, with previous winners including Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Dame Kelly Holmes and last year’s winner Laura Kenny.
Loughborough College Sport student Sophie Hahn MBE has been selected as one of the final four outstanding performers for Disabled Sportswoman of the Year.
A 2016 Paralympic champion, Sophie – who is still only 20 -shattered her own world record at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championship this summer on the way to winning her third consecutive world title in the T38 100m – and her second gold at the competition.
Elise, who studied on the highly successful AASE programme at Loughborough College, is a ten time European gold medalist and in the 2017 World Championships won world titles at 1000m, 1500m and the overall gold – the first British and first European woman to do so.
Joining Elise on the shortlist for Sportswoman of the Year are Johanna Konta (tennis), Jodie Taylor (football), Elinor Barker (track cycling), Tammy Beaumont (cricket and Bianca Walkden (taekwondo).
In the running alongside Sophie are Hannah Cockcroft (athletics), Emma Wiggs (canoeing) and Jeanette Chippington (canoeing).
The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards ceremony takes place at the Hilton London Bankside hotel and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix at 8.00pm on Thursday 26 October
Pictured: Loughborough College student Sophie Hahn MBE at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships