Women of the year
So, who tops our exclusive survey as we recall this year’s outstanding achievements?
19 Emily Scarratt
Crowned World Rugby Player of the Year less than 12 months after calling time on her Sevens career, Scarratt has enjoyed a seamless transition back into XVS. Surpassed 500 Test points for England in the autumn.
16 Brigid Kosgei
The Kenyan smashed Paula Radcliffe’s 16-year old women’s marathon world record in October, shaving 1min 21sec off the time Radcliffe set at the London Marathon in
2003. She crossed the finish line in a world-best time of 2hr
14min
4sec.
18 Katie Taylor
Ireland’s influential boxer took her professional record to 15-0 with three victories this year. Moved up to 140lb and beat Greece’s Christina Linardatou in November by unanimous decision to become two-weight world champion.
15 Naomi Osaka
Backed up her maiden grand slam in 2018 with a second successive major at the Australian Open, becoming the first woman to win consecutive slams since Serena Williams in 2015.
Off the court, she has shown courage by speaking out on her mental health.
17 Bryony Frost
Became the first female jockey to win a Grade One race over fences at the Cheltenham Festival. Also crowned champion conditional jockey on final day of National Hunt season.
13 Katarina Johnsonthompson
In becoming heptathlon world champion, the 26-year-old not only beat fierce rival and Olympic champion Nafissatou Thiam, she also beat Jessica Ennis-hill’s British record. Her victory in Doha followed her indoor European title win earlier this year.
25 Fiona Kolbinger
German cancer researcher became the first woman to win one of the world’s toughest cycling races, the Transcontinental, which covered 2,485 miles, starting in Bulgaria and ending in France.
20 Ellen White
Scored six goals for England at her third World Cup to become the tournament’s joint-top scorer alongside Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan of the US. Signed for Manchester City this summer, where she has continued her fine form.
14 Ellyse Perry
Voted player of the series as Australia retained the Ashes, finishing as leading run scorer with 378 and top wicket taker with 15. Also became the first player, male or female, to score 1,000 runs and take 100 wickets in T20IS.
12 Jill Ellis
After securing back-to-back World Cup titles with the US, Portsmouth-born Ellis will go down in history as the first coach to lift the trophy twice, and the only one to have never lost a game in the tournament. Was named Women’s Coach of the Year at the Best Fifa awards.